Today at CLC I'm going to be talking about the connection between graditude and generosity. The focus will be on the apostle Paul's words of instruction to the church at Corinth. However, you can go back years earlier and discover the principles being established with the children of Israel.

For example, in the book of Deuteronomy is a lesson to be learned about giving. Verses 1-11 describes the Liturgy of the First Fruits, which was associated with each of the Pilgrim festivals. Even though we don't celebrate the same feasts and festivals that they did, we can follow a similar liturgy today when we give. Here are three reminders about how to give:

1. Make giving a priority. (v. 2)...take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. (v. 10) "...and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O Lord, have given me."

2. Make giving an act of worship.(v. 10) Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.

3. Make giving a celebration of thanksgiving.(v. 11) And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

We express gratitude by recognizing our debt to God (v. 2); by remembering his faithfulness (v.5-9) and by reaching out to to others (v. 11 — "Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among in the celebreation." NLT).