BiblicalInsights.net

     An outstanding volume on the theme of thanksgiving is David Pao’s book, Thanksgiving An Investigation of a Pauline Theme.  This book is published by InterVarsity Press and is a part of a series called, “New Studies in Biblical Theology.”
     There are four words that are commonly associated with thanksgiving.
They are: God-centered, dependency, worship, and covenant.  The spirit of thanksgiving is born out of an understanding that God is the ultimate source of all things.  This involves both physical and spiritual things.  Creation passages affirm this fact.  Consider Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-18.  Pao mentions that thanksgiving in Paul’s writing is reserved for God and not for humans. The only possible exception he gives is Rom. 16:4 where Paul thanks Priscilla and Acquila for risking their lives to help Paul, but Pao mentions that even this shows a wider concern for the ministry of God and the work of God.  In thanksgiving, we recognize that God is the ultimate source of all things including our own existence.
     Secondly, in thanksgiving, we confess our dependency upon God.  Our narcissistic age inflates the gradiose self and manifests a stubborn independence. Narcissism is self-absorption and produces ingratitude.  We must be able to appreciate help and enrichment from others.  In thanksgiving, we confess our need of God.
     Thirdly, in thanksgiving, we express our gratitude through praise and prayer directed to God.  Worship is an expression of a grateful heart.  When we feel a sense of being overwhelmed by God’s goodness, our hearts are made to sing and to bless God’s holy name.  Feelings of entitlement rob us of gratitude.  God does not owe us anything.  But, He has freely given us all things to enjoy.  We must freely give our hearts to Him.
     Fourthly, in thanksgiving, we express our full consecration to God according to the covenant He has given us.  Thanksgiving is more than just words.  It must become a way of life.  Paul states that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God (Rom. 12:1,2).  Complete consecration to God is the fullest expession of thanksgiving.  
     Here are some closing thoughts on thanksgiving gleaned from Bits and Pieces, Nov., 2008, p. 12.
     -The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction.  A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift.
     -He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.
     -One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.
     -As bread is the staff of life, the simple sustenance of the body, so appreciation is the food of the soul.
     -“In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thess. 5:18).