December 4, 2024
Once upon a time, a mother and her 4-year-old daughter were making their way through an outdoor market in the town where they lived. Spotting the little child staring at a large display of oranges, the generous vendor took one from the table and gave it to her.
“What do you say to the nice man?” the mother asked. Looking at the orange, the child pointed it toward the man and said, “Peel it!”
This is a “cute” little story, one which might trigger a chuckle. Yet, in all seriousness, it illustrates a prevailing attitude that permeates our culture, one of entitlement and lack of appreciation. Someone said, “Never in history have people had more, yet appreciated it less.”
While that may be true, a lack of thankfulness is certainly nothing new. Luke’s Gospel records the account of Jesus healing ten lepers, yet only one, an “outsider” at that, took the time to express thanks. As the Lord said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine — where are they?” (Luke 17:17). They became so caught up in the gift, they failed to acknowledge the Giver.
At age 66 and working only part time, I often receive articles such as, “8 Keys to Happiness in Retirement.” Possessing and expressing “gratitude” shows up on most lists.
According to Aesop, “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” Others have said: “A grateful mind is a great mind,” and “Unfailing gratitude makes a human magnet out of a common personality.”
Of course, Scripture has much more to say on the subject. In the Psalms, we read: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (100:4, 136:1 NASB).
Paul emphasizes gratitude and thanksgiving throughout his epistles. “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2 NASB).
Note in these verses the connection between prayer and thanksgiving. This underscores the fact that thanksgiving, along with adoration, confession, intercession, and petition, should be a key element in your prayers. Before launching into your concerns and requests, take time to praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done and continues to do. Thank Him for both eternal and temporal blessings.
This goes for the bad times as well as the good. Despite the threat of death, Daniel “continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Trapped in the belly of a big fish, Jonah proclaimed, “I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. ‘Salvation is from the Lord’” (Daniel 6:10, Jonah 2:9).
Renowned British minister Matthew Henry (1662-1714), is known today for his extensive Bible commentary work. Yet, during his lifetime, it was his gratitude that stood out. One day, while walking down the street, he was accosted by thieves. He later recorded in his diary: “I am thankful that during these years I have never been robbed until now. Also, even though they took my money, they did not take my life. And although they took all I had, it was not much. Finally, I am grateful that it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
Living in the space of gratitude, possessing a grateful heart, is the best path to take in life. You’ll no doubt experience better health and increased happiness as a result.
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Rev. Gaddis has been a pastor for over 34 years, 25 of those in GA. He currently lives in Athens and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
