1. THANKFULNESS HAS A PLACE AND A DIRECTION.
THANKING GOD IN CHURCH, AND ALSO DIRECTED TO GOD.
Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
- SOMETIMES GIVING THANKS CAN BE MORE DIFFICULT THAN OTHERS. DANIEL KNEW THE VERDICT AGAINST HIM, YET GAVE THANKS TO GOD. HE STILL HAD PLENTY TO GIVE THANKS FOR.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
- SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT EVERYTHING CAN BE TURN AROUND TO WORK FOR GOOD. THEREFORE, WE FAIL TO THANK GOD FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE NEGATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2. MAN FREQUENTLY MISAPPROPRIATES THANKS.
GIVES IT TO HIMSELF, TO GOVERNMENT, OR INDIVIDUALS. ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM GOD !
Acts 24:2-3 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Tertullus knew that government wants to be praised, and politicians want to be thanked for everythign even when they are not responsible for the blessing.
3. BUT GOD IS KIND EVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT THANKFUL.
What Jesus said puts to rest the theory of the Prosperity Gospel. THEY say that a person is blessed only when they fulfill some preacher-inspired commitment. But, look at all the people in the world who prosper materially. Most are NOT saved ! The true distinction is not in material riches but spiritual ones !
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
4. LACK OF THANKFULNESS TO GOD IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LAST DAYS.
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
5. CARING FOR THE NEEDS OF THE BRETHREN MULTIPLIES THE AMOUNT OF THANKSGIVING(S).
You thank God for the ability to give, and they thank God that He used you to help them !
2 Corinthians 9:11-15 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
6. HARD TO BE THANKFUL WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE PEACE ABOUT EVERYTHING.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.