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What Are You Thankful For?

 “I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus.  That is, you were made rich through him in everything: in all your communication and every kind of knowledge.” 
- 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (CEB)

What are you thankful to God for?  What is it that causes you to be thankful today?  We are in that season of Thanksgiving again and we get to share with each other what we are thankful for!  Paul’s source of joy was his faith in Jesus Christ.  He believed that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection paid the penalty for his sins and that he was promised eternal life with Christ.  In this passage, he explains to the Corinthians that he is thankful for them as well.  Why?  Because they too have experienced the same thing that Paul experienced; an enrichment through Christ in everything!

Have you experienced this enrichment in everything through Christ?  Has your life been changed because of your faith?  If so, you have more reason to give thanks today and for all eternity than the person who lives in complete financial security.  You have more reason to be thankful than the person who drives a new car, who has a better job than you, a better house than you, and a nicer family than you!  

This season of Thanksgiving in America seems to be defined by thankfulness for all of the material blessings that we have received.  It is not necessarily a bad thing to be thankful for material blessings, since God is our provider (whether or not you affirm that!), but isn't there more to be thankful for than material wealth?  Yes, some people do claim thankfulness for their “friends and family,” which is good too!  However, are you truly thankful for what God has done for you through Jesus Christ?  Through Jesus Christ, you have been “made rich through him in everything!”  We are forgiven of all of our sins, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are given spiritual gifts (verse 1:7), and we are given each other, the Church!  Thank God today for the many blessings he has given you, especially the free gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ.  Be blessed and give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

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