Given that ‘Thanksgiving Day’ is fast upon us I thought it would be useful if I shared some brief thoughts on the Scriptural teaching of giving thanks. In examining the Bible’s teaching on the subject, three important points immediately come to mind.
I must admit that the first thought I had when hearing the crunch of my rear bumper was not ‘Thank you God’.
First, the giving of thanks is a command, and not simply a suggestion. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the apostle Paul writes this; ‘in everything give thanks’. This particular exhortation takes the form of a command, a command with no qualifiers or exceptions. The command does not say ‘in everything give thanks, unless…’ Or, ‘in everything give thanks, but only if…’ No, the command simply says ‘in everything give thanks’. In other words, we are to give thanks in all circumstances. We are to give thanks in the good times and the bad. We are to give thanks when we feel like it and when we don’t feel like it. We are to give thanks in everything. This past week, I had someone hit my car as I was backing out of the parking lot at my son’s school. I must admit that the first thought I had when hearing the crunch of my rear bumper was not ‘Thank you God’. However, upon further examination, I realized that even in that situation, I should have expressed thanksgiving. I should have been thankful that I wasn’t hurt. I should have been thankful that I had car insurance. I should have been thankful that I owned a car in the first place. In other words, in spite of the ‘frustration’ and ‘inconvenience’ of having a car accident, there was much to be thankful for. Unfortunately, we don’t always see it that way. But, as Paul commands ‘in everything give thanks’.
Now, I am not sure who this ‘goodness’ person is, and even if he/she exists, but according to the Bible, thanksgiving is ultimately to be given to God.
Secondly, the Biblical teaching is that thanksgiving is ultimately to be directed toward God. Now, that is not to say that we ought not thank other people for their acts of kindness, or their generosity toward us. Certainly we should. But, the ultimate recipient of all our thanks must be God and God alone. How often, when something has gone well, have I heard people say ‘Thank goodness’. Now, I am not sure who this ‘goodness’ person is, and even if he/she exists, but according to the Bible, thanksgiving is ultimately to be given to God. We are told in James 1:17 that: ‘every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.’ In other words, every good thing we receive ultimately comes down from God and God alone, and therefore, it is God who should be thanked for these things.
Then thirdly, the Biblical teaching is that thanksgiving is not to be limited to one day out of the year, but it is to be a virtue that characterizes every day of our lives. As Christians, we have so much to be thankful for, and as such, we are to be in a constant state of expressing our gratitude and thankfulness for all that God has done for us. And no matter how bad things may be going for us at any particular moment, as Christians, we know that God is even working those things out for good, something we can also be thankful for. And so, for the Christian, every day is to be Thanksgiving Day.
Now, with that said, let me just mention briefly some of the things that I continue to be thankful for.
- I am thankful for the wonderful wife and son that God has given to me
- I am thankful for the young people at Harvest Church who continue to impress me with their love and commitment to God and His Word.
- I am thankful that God continues to meet every one of my physical needs and the needs of my family
- I am thankful to live in a country where I am free to worship God and to speak of Him in the public arena
- I am thankful for my health, and the health of my family
- I am thankful for the gift of salvation, and that God loves me in spite of myself
- I am thankful that this world is not my home, and that one day I shall be with God in paradise
Obviously, this list could go on and on; as well it should.
In closing, let me just quote the words of King David in Psalm 79:13, words which hopefully express the heart of our Harvest congregation;
So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever.
May we, both individually, and corporately, express our great gratitude to God for all that He has done for us, not only on this Thanksgiving Day, but also throughout each day of the coming year.