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Thankfulness
November 24, 2012

This past Thursday was set aside as a day of Thanksgiving in my country, and it seems the older I get, the less I think the United States appreciates what it has been given by God. From our very beginning we have accepted that it is God who gives us certain unalienable rights, and in the modern world as busy as we are, it seems we no longer are thankful for the ability to pursue what makes us happy as free people who have a gift of life. Perhaps we have had it too good for too long and we have lost our appreciation for the gifts we as a nation have received. For some, being thankful for what they have been given isone of the challenges faced in life. Some are never satisfied and only want more. Some never want more and they don't appreciate what they already have. The ability to be thankful is tied to having appreciation, and these are tied to recognizing something as a great value. When something is common and seen every day, it is easier to ignore its value; it's easier to not appreciate it; it's easier to not be thankful. Maybe we don't appreciate and are thankful for what we have been given by God because we no longer value it. Perhaps we no longer value liberty, because we have embraced a government that is growing larger all the time. Perhaps we no longer value the pursuit of happiness, because we have embraced a polarized political system. Perhaps we no longer value life, because abortion on demand is legal. What does the Bible say about thankfulness and appreciation?

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Jesus showed that there are those who will have different values. He warns us not to presume that they will value what we value. In the scripture, Jesus shows that we cannot expect others to value as holy what is holy, and that we cannot let others diminish the value of what is holy. Jesus used the example of dogs, who are great pets, but unable to appreciate the finer religious thoughts that come by focusing on what is holy, and he went on to show that doing this makes as much sense as taking expensive jewelry and tossing it in front of pigs, who either might eat it, or just grind it into the muck and mud before coming to finish us off. Not everyone values what is holy, and those who do not value what is holy will not be thankful for, nor will they appreciate that which is holy, or those who are being led by that which is holy, the Spirit of God. The prize for those who are holy and remain faithful to God is eternal life and the picture of New Jerusalem given to us is one of extreme wealth.

Revelation 21:18-21
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

There might be spirited debate among many regarding the Book of Revelation because prophecy seems to be intriguing and some just want to have bragging rights. The image given to us is of a city made from the finest precious metals and stones, a city that if it existed today would exceed all of the wealth in the world many times over. Stop and think for a minute. How valuable would that city be? That's a hard question to answer because it is hard to comprehend wealth to that degree. And if we focus just on the money, we lose sight of the bigger picture that the Kingdom of God is more valuable than anything money can buy. A key to being thankful and appreciative is to focus on the Kingdom of God and God's righteousness, because these are more valuable than money as these are eternal and spiritual, while money lasts until it is all spent.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

You see, we have been given something holy, the Holy Spirit, and this is more valuable than all of the precious metals and stones on earth, and much more important than anything we think we need. God already knows our needs and will provide, and for this we can be thankful and appreciative. We show others that we are thankful and appreciative when we focus on what has been given us by God and celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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