Thankfulness as God's Will and Purpose

"In thanking God, we fasten upon His favors to us; in praising and adoring God, we fasten upon His perfections in Himself."  - Matthew Henry, British Nonconformist and Presbyterian minister and author (1662-1714)  

"What comes to mind when you think about the meaning of thankfulness?" 

According to the Bible, thankfulness involves a life of constant spiritual submission that recognizes all things are gifts from the mighty hand of God.

What's more, it is an act of worship and trust, not merely a simple "thank you" or a reliance on favorable timing. To be a Christian is to live a life of gratitude, and an acknowledgment of God's inherent kindness, total lordship, and enduring mercy.

In order to help explore this further, I've included an outline of some key aspects below:

I. "For from him and through him and for him are all things." - (Romans 11:36)

    Thankfulness begins with recognizing our complete dependence on God for everything.

• Biblical Passages - Acts 17:25; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17 

Points to consider: 

• How does the contemporary notion of self-sufficiency clash with the biblical principle that everything is a gift from God?
• What are some "good and perfect gifts" in your life that you may have been failing to appreciate (e.g., health, family, salvation)?

II. Thankfulness as a Duty of Gratitude. The Bible describes thankfulness as an imperative (command) and a type of worshipping God.

• Biblical Passages - Psalm 100:4; Romans 1:21; Hebrews 12:28

Points to consider: 

• Why is a lack of gratitude (thanklessness) a sin in the Bible?
• How can giving thanks in prayer help with anxiety, as mentioned in Philippians 4:6?

III. Give thanks in every circumstance. Biblical thankfulness is an unwavering inner resolve.

• Biblical Passages - Daniel 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:2-3

Points to consider: 

• What's the main difference between being thankful for all circumstances and being thankful in all circumstances?
• Recount an incident where choosing thankfulness during a hard time changed your way of seeing things?

IV. Putting Theory into Practice: Having a Heart of Thankfulness. Practicing thankfulness affects our connection with God and others through actions.

• Biblical Passages - 2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians  5:20; Colossians 3:17

Plan of Action:

• Extend heartfelt thanks. - Express gratitude to someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Make gratitude an integral part of your daily conversation with God. - Let your prayers include words of thanks and praise.
• Embrace a giving spirit. - Helping or giving your time or energy to others can be an expression of thankfulness.
• Write down the best part of your day. - Recording daily appreciations can be helpful.

Some Final Thoughts: The biblical meaning of thankfulness involves gratefully acknowledging God's mighty hand in all areas of life, responding with continuous reverence and indebtedness, and letting thankfulness guide your actions and interactions.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I am so grateful for the salvation You provide. Teach me to be thankful always, acknowledging Your blessings in both joy and trials. Amen."

May your heart be light and your soul be blessed,

Piper