Gratitude breeds generosity. You may be immediately on board with this idea or you may need some convincing. We now know that there are many documented benefits to gratitude. Practicing gratitude improves life satisfaction, resilience to health issues, and sleep quality, while reducing stress, inflammation, and depression and so much more.

When I feel grateful, I naturally want to be generous with others. Research bears this out. People who are thanked for their prosocial actions are more likely to help again, creating a virtuous cycle of generosity

^6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7 MSG).

This scripture starts with being rooted in Christ. That means I am so deeply connected to Christ that He is my root structure. My source of nourishment. He waters my soul. This rooted connection brings restoration to my heart, transformation of my soul leaving me with nothing but gratitude. My life naturally spills over into thanksgiving. That overflow of gratitude breeds generosity.

Generosity matters. It is how I show others the magnitude of God love and grace. Generosity allows me to make room for others to know Christ. It makes it easier for others to embrace grace, to feel welcome, to see that there is more to life than their current circumstance. I am only able to express that to others when I am rooted in Christ and actively thankful for all of the many gifts He has brought into my life.

Does your gratitude breed generosity? Does your thankfulness open the door for others to see God? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.