Gratitude: Showing appreciation and admiration. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 NLT 'Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. ' - can give us insight into gratitude. - “You cannot lead people to a well you’ve never drank from.” - Big Idea: A of gratitude is equally as important as an of gratitude. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT 'Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ' 1. Not , It’s Being passive in the things that should be active nullifies them. “In the same way bees create hives, and ants create colonies, humans create futures.” -Erwin Raphael McManus 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NLT 'And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” ' 2. Not , It’s 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT 'For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ' 3. Not , It’s Entitlement is believing we are owed what we have received. Gratitude is recognizing that what we have is more than we deserve. -Blaine Hamilton 2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. ' 4. Not Self-Centered, It’s Outward-Focused Gratitude is a recognition of what SOMEONE ELSE DID!