Chapter 9: Gratitude
Receiving the Good Gifts of God
Gratitude is a vital bridge between abundance and generosity.
THE GENEROSITY OF THE SOCIAL GOD. God is a giving God, an infinitely giving God.
A THANKFUL PEOPLE. The early Christians were a thankful people. Paul says that to rejoice, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances is the will of God.
THE CYCLE OF FORGETFULNESS AND RESTORATION. The history of the people in the Bible is one of forgetfulness of God’s abundant gibing and then restoration. That is the cycle of our lives as well.
FROM DISSATISFACTION TO SATISFACTION. The selling of the culture of wants as opposed to needs. Fascinating examples.
CULTIVATING A GIFTS PERSPECTIVE. We need to consciously cultivate thankfulness.
FOCUSING ON WHAT IS PRESENT. “Rather than emphasizing what’s not there, the church should focus on what is.”
- Asset mapping in congregations. Five different kinds of assets that should be considered.
- Physical
- Individual
- Associational
- Institutions
- Economic
- Appreciative inquiry.
ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
GRATITUDE AND COMMUNITY LIFE.