A constant theme of Scripture is the call to remember the great things God has done
for His people. But God blesses mankind because it is His nature to do so, not because
we deserve it. People of faith recognize this and respond by being thankful. The
first American Thanksgiving holiday was observed by the pilgrims in the Autumn of
1621. Realizing that they had prevailed in difficult circumstances, their governor,
William Bradford, declared a feast as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to
God for His Goodness and Favor, to be observed by all the colonists and their Indian
neighbors. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln, a man keenly aware of God’s providence,
appointed a national day of thanksgiving.
But like every good idea, Thanksgiving has its origins in Scripture. Gratitude for
God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt is one aspect of the Passover
meal. (Ex 12:14) Remembering God’s offer of the redemption of man through Christ is also
an intrinsic part of the Lord’s Supper, or communion (Lk 22:19). In
Leviticus 19:5 we see the Peace Offering, also known as the Fellowship Offering of thanksgiving.
One distinguishing characteristic of this offering is that it is voluntary. It is
the believers response to God’s goodness and could be given at any season. Thanksgiving
offerings are always appropriate, but never more so than at this time of the year
when many of us stop to consider the great blessings that God has bestowed on us.
Thanksgiving is a recognition of receiving something undeserved and feeling indebted
to repay the giver with gratitude. Has God saved you? Be thankful! “The wages of sin is death but the free gift
of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” For this reason alone, believers should be thankful people. You live in
America: be thankful. The poorest among us has sufficient means, and more, to live
beyond the wildest expectations of most of the world. You are a part of a great
local church and may enjoy the fellowship of some of the finest people imaginable:
be thankful. Take time this Thanksgiving to count and meditate upon your blessings.
This will do more good for you than every psychiatrist in Los Angeles.
Thankful people are, without exception, happy people. They know and appreciate what
God has done for them. They see His hand in the blessings of life both great and
small. Gratitude is the fountainhead of happiness. Do you want to be happy? Are
you thankful?
Thankful people are generous people. Generosity is the outward working of the thankful
heart, the attitude made real by the action. Faith with works. Our response
to the elders’ call to give and build will be a clear testimony to one another and
to the world of our faith in God’s provision. May God bless and encourage you as
you give to the building fund!