Thanksgiving

 

Why Only One Day for Thanksgiving? Charles Dickens said that we are somewhat mixed up here in America. He told an audience that instead of having one Thanksgiving Day each year we should have 364. “Use that one day just for complaining and griping,” he said. “Use the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many blessings He has showered upon you.”

Paul told the young preacher Timothy concerning the eating of food, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). That certainly includes the Thanksgiving meal we all partake of. But it seems that in this day and age there is something fundamentally wrong with the contemporary American approach to Thanksgiving. We use the occasion of Thanksgiving to inventory our blessings and then carve the traditional turkey. When one gets right down to it, there is something pretty empty and shallow with the attitude of “I appreciate what God has done for me; therefore, I will indulge myself with a big meal!” Now, don’t get me wrong- I probably will do my share of overeating on Thanksgiving Day – but I can’t help but wonder if we are, in reality, practicing in “Thanksfeeling” instead of genuine Thanksgiving. Real gratitude should give! What should Thanksgiving really mean?

Thanksgiving means – Giving to God. * Paul stated to the Corinthians that remembering what Jesus gave for our sakes should make us want to give generously and cheerfully to God in return (2 Corinthians 9:10-15). The point is that thanksgiving to God should be rendered with our hearts, with our talents, and yes, even with our earnings.

Thanksgiving means – Giving to Those Who Have Given to Us. * We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who raised us. Certainly, we should honor them (Ephesians 6:2-3). Unfortunately, in our fast-paced society, many children seem unable (or unwilling) to give their parents the time they should, and this is true no matter how old you or your parents are. Are we truly thankful for our parents? Then let’s demonstrate our gratitude by giving them the most valuable gift of all – ourselves. And not only our parents, but truly give back to any and all who have selflessly touched our lives and given graciously to us.

Thanksgiving means – Giving to Those Who Are in Need. * Real gratitude shares. Those who have been richly blessed by God must, in return, be a blessing to others. It’s too easy for us to look at world hunger, hardship, and the needs of so many others, excusing ourselves by saying, “Well, I can’t help everyone!” True, you can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone (Galatians 6:10). It is not enough to count our blessings; we must also share them with others. We have so much for which to be grateful. But genuine thankfulness, genuine thanksgiving, not only feels, but it also acts! Does your thanksgiving really give from the abundance given to you?

[Psalm 107] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. The apostle Paul was a thankful man. He was thankful to Jesus for putting him into the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12), for the faith of his fellow Christians (Colossians 1:3-4), for those who risked themselves for his ministry (Romans 16:3-4), for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:57), and indeed for all things (Ephesians 5:20). What sort of “thanksgiving list” would you put together? Perhaps it would include your family, your home, your local congregation of the Lord’s church, and your job, in addition to the spiritual blessings Paul mentions. Whatever the case may be, the important thing is to remember to be thankful, because ultimately, God is the source of all blessings (James 1:17). Thank you, God; Thank You!