Giving Thanks and Thanksgiving

A reflection on thanksgiving by General Superintendent David Busic

Over the last couple months, people around the world have celebrated thankfulness in a variety of ways. It has often been said that Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings. I do not disagree with that sentiment. We all have so much for which to be thankful. The essence of God is love, and God’s bountiful love is a continual source of undeserved and bountiful blessing. Thanksgiving begins with thanks.

Even so, I am also reminded of what W.T. Purkiser once said: “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” The apostle Paul seems to acknowledge the truth of that when he wrote: “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” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Thanksgiving is about being grateful for our blessings, and then blessing others through them.

That is why Christians say that giving is an act of worship. Stewardship is not just a way for the church to pay the bills. It is a way for us to express our gratitude to God and to confess: “All that I have comes from God, and by faith I trust that God will continue to provide as I become a channel of His blessings to those around me.”

The thanksgiving prayer of an unknown Christian has always moved me: “I do not thank Thee, Lord, that I have bread to eat while others starve; nor yet for work to do while empty hands solicit heaven; nor for a body strong while other bodies flatten beds of pain. No, not for these do I give thanks; but I am grateful, Lord, because my meager loaf I may divide; for that my busy hands may move to meet another’s need; because my doubled strength I may expend to steady one who faints. Yes, for all these do I give thanks! For heart to share, desire to bear, and will to live, flamed into one by deathless love – thanks be to God for this! Unspeakable! His Gift!”

Thanksgiving is first thanks, then giving. May we use our blessings to be a blessing!

Originally posted on Nazarene.org