1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving means you are showing gratitude to someone who has done much for you.
Thanksgiving comes with a lot of effects. God cannot give thanks to Himself. It is an exclusive privilege God has given to you as a believer.
When you see the things God is asking you to do in the Word, you will understand it is for your good. Thanksgiving does the following:
1. Makes your mind focused on God: Thanksgiving moves your mind away from circumstances to God. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Keeping your mind stayed on God brings peace and prosperity. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you
2. Leads to supernatural abundance and multiplication: Acts 16:23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Paul and Silas were not bothered by circumstances but gave thanks to God, leading to a mighty deliverance. Matthew 15:36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. This verse shows Jesus thanking God, which led to the multiplication of bread and fish. People who are thankful have many more reasons to thank God, while those who grumble and complain have many more reasons to grumble and complain.
How does God want you to thank Him?
There may be ways you are thanking God but in the wrong way or in an insufficient way.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. God has done so much for you that you will enjoy it for eternity. That alone is enough to thank Him.
Matthew 15:7-9 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. God is not looking at lips but at the heart. It is possible to thank Him with your lips but not with your heart.
1. Giving your time to God: Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. This verse teaches that giving your body to God is true worship. 1 Chronicles 21:24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing. David was determined not to give God something that would not cost him. The most expensive currency in the world is time. Time in service is one way you show your thanksgiving to God.
2. Giving your abilities, intellect, and creativity: As part of your body, your brain can be used in thanksgiving through your abilities, intellect, and creativity. You cannot be a benchwarmer in the house of God and hardworking in the workplace. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. God wants your creativity and abilities such that you are working for Him. You should put your best forward.
3. Giving your testimonies: You always have something you want God to do for you but you hardly share testimonies. You can take what God has done for you for granted. Psalm 73:28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. You have to tell everyone of the wonderful things God has done for you. Luke 17:11 ten lepers were healed, but only one came back to thank God. Those who give testimonies have more testimonies to give.
4. Giving honor to Him with your offerings: Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. You are to honor God with your wealth and the best part of your substance. Do you give God your best? 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. God gave you the things you have, so in honor and thanksgiving, with the understanding that all belongs to God, you should give the best part of what you have. Don’t make it lip service; ensure you give. It is a show of dependence on God.
5. Giving in worship and praise: Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Praise and worship are to be done continually. God is interested in the fruit of your lips. Your heart needs to be connected with your lips. God values it.
6. Giving thanksgiving in prayers: Paul would start in prayer, continue in prayer, and finish in prayer. Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Prayers should be adorned with thanksgiving.
In conclusion, thanksgiving should be done in all these ways, not just with lips. This is acknowledging God, and you will, in turn, see back-to-back miracles and massive turnarounds.
