30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
02 Acts 14 08-20 THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA 47 Acts 14 15-17 Thanksgiving to God and generosity
📖 Acts 14:08-20
2/47 – Sun, 07 Dec 2025 – *Thanksgiving to God and generosity*- _Acts 14:08-20_ – THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA – _II Corinthians 09:10-11_
_Acts 14:15-17 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, (16) who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (17) *Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.*"_
The Lord God is calling us to always be thankful to Him for all that He has provided for man. _Psalms 147:7-8 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, (8) Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains._
Even though man is not fulfilling his role of governing the earth in the image and Spirit of God, God is still providing for man's needs. _Genesis 8:21-22 And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. (22) *"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease."*_
Man is choosing to ignore the goodness of God. _Romans 1:21-22 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, *nor were thankful*, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools,_ / _II Peter 3:5-7 For this *they willfully forget*: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, (6) by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. (7) But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men._
This was the warning to the people of God: they should never forget His goodness, but be humble, grateful, and thankful to God for His provision. _Deuteronomy 8:11-14 "*Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God* by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, (12) lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; (13) and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; (14) when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;_
Though they were warned not to forget the Lord for His goodness, that is what they did. _Jeremiah 5:23-24 But *this people has a defiant and rebellious heart*; They have revolted and departed. (24) *They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest."*_ / _Nehemiah 9:25-26 And they took strong cities and a rich land, And possessed houses full of all goods, Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, And fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, And delighted themselves in Your great goodness. (26) "Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations._
Are we thankful to God for all His goodness? *Or are we those who complain about all that is happening in our lives?* What happened to the Israelites was written as a warning to us that we should not do the same evil. _I Corinthians 10:10-11 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (11) Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come._
Along with being thankful to God for all His goodness, we are also called to be generous. _Hebrews 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (16) But *do not forget to do good and to share*, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased._ / _II Corinthians 9:11-12 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. (12) For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,_
Thanksgiving to God and generosity are the characteristics of the church. _Acts 2:44-47 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (45) and sold their possessions and goods, and *divided them among all, as anyone had need*. (46) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) *praising God* and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved._