It's not always the case that we come across stories in the news that make us smile (especially these days), but I have found one. In a day where it seems "Wall Street Fat Cats", with their large compensation packages, are public enemy no. 1, I read today of a bank owner who gave away 60 million dollars of his own fortune to his bank's employees. Why did he do it? Because he wanted them to know that the bank truly couldn't be successful without them. He appreciates them.
Gratitude is such an undervalued virtue, but oh how it goes so far. If I was a betting man, I'd say that this banker is going to have one of the hardest working, happiest work forces in the banking industry. The good news for us is that we don't need to have a fortune to exhibit the same kind of character. Even just a "thank you," or "I appreciate you" can really go a long way (although giving lots of money to people is a really nice way of being able to say that!)
How can you show your gratitude to your neighbors for what they do?
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In this amazing story we have a man rewarding his employees for years of service. In fact, the number of years they worked for the bank determined the size of their bonus.
When I tried to apply this philosophy to serving my neighbor I ran into a couple of questions. Am I thankful for my neighbors? What does my neighbor due to earn my gratitude? A lot of times it is the opposite. My neighbors do things that are quite annoying.
Well you can see that line of thinking wasn't going anywhere positive for anyone involved.
I think ultimately our thankfulness and gratitude should come from honest reflection of what God has done for us through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
That kind of gratitude and thankfulness will naturally pour out of us into our neighbors lives. Our ministry of thanksgiving!
Thank God for the blessings He provides through them.
While some word or token of appreciation seems to be the knee-jerk response, the Holy Spirit provides a more deliberate re-routing of that appreciation through God before it reaches the eyes and ears of men.
And love your neighbor - more so the one who cannot afford (financially or spiritually) to give anything to "earn" such recognition.
Grace of the Gospel fulfilling the Law...
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Proverbs shaping the Law - "love your neighbor"...
Proverbs 3:27-29
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
Proverbs 6:1-3 (see also Proverbs 17:18)
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
Proverbs 11:9-12
With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
Proverbs 14:20-21
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 16:29
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
Proverbs 17:18
A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
Proverbs 21:10
The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.
Proverbs 24:28
Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive.
Proverbs 25:7b-10
What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.
Proverbs 25:17-18
Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and he will hate you. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
Proverbs 26:18-19
Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Proverbs 27:14
If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.
Proverbs 29:5-7
Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet. An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
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