Thanksgiving Gratitude

In light of Thanksgiving, I began a new book, “Thanks! How
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.

The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.

“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist

The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”

Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:

In Ephesians 5:20, Paul admonishes us to give,"thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In 1Thessalonians 5:18, the same apostle instructs us to give thanks "in everything... for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

In Colossians 2:7, Paul says we are to abound, and to overflow with thanksgiving. 

Paul practiced what he preached! Aside from the statements of

thanksgiving that he makes in the bodies of his letters, as in

Philippians 4:6, he opens no less than five letters by thanking

God. You will find that in Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4,

Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

In Colossians 3:17, Paul says that, "whatever you do in word

or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through Him." Here in this verse Paul

indicates the fundamental benefit of gratitude. Being grateful

to God for all that He has given to us impacts how we

approach every day.

We may be facing adversity, struggles, persecution,

heartbreak, pain, and yet we can approach life as the richest

people on the planet. We may be well off, financially set,

have a nice family and home, and our health is good. But we

realize that our riches are not in this world they are the riches

that come from God.

Our riches are based upon our being called out of this world,

God forgiving us of our sins, opening our minds to His truths

and our being prepared for the soon coming Kingdom of

Heaven through Jesus Christ working in our lives through the

Holy Spirit. God has extended His grace and mercy to us

through His Son. Nothing in the physical world can change

that.

This Sabbath before Thanksgiving take some time to recognize the

blessings God has sent your way and to acknowledge the

Giver of every good gift (James 1:17).

Have a pleasant Sabbath and make this Thanksgiving a day of

gratitude to God.

Gary Smith