PRACTICAL BIBLICAL GUIDANCE

THANKFULNESS

(and what it reveals about your maturity)

THANKFULNESS AND MATURITY

1.) The 1955 Webster Dictionary defines "Thanksgiving Day" as a day to acknowledge gratitude towards God. Even the words "Thank" and "Thankful" are defined with an eye to God. While more recent dictionaries skirt the divine issue, we are fortunate enough to know the truth.
2.) When we say "THANK YOU" what do we really mean? Here are four levels of thankfulness that reveal our personal maturity:

HORRAY!
"I'm happy about something I've got!"

HUMILITY
"I acknowledge that this gift/blessing was not all my own doing."

APPRECIATION / PRAISE
"I recognize the value of another."

LOYALTY / SERVICE
"In appreciation, I hold myself accountable to the giver for reciprocity."

3.) Count Your Blessings!

But which category do you spend your time counting? This too reflects depth of character, ie, maturity.

THINGS

SITUATIONS

SELF

OTHERS

GOD

Deut 8:10

Eph 2:1-10,

Col. 1:12

Col 3:15

Phil 1:3-6

Psalm 145:17

Psalm 100:4

Car

Toys

House

etc.

Home

Church

Work/School

Country

Team/Group

Health

Salvation

Abilities

Ministries

Trials

Family

Friends

Christians

Leaders

Enemies

Know Him

His Character

Forgiveness

Fellowship

Future

"It's nice to say THANK YOU. Even better to mean it. And best of all to know what you mean when you say it."

THANKFULNESS

(and what it reveals about your maturity)

"I'm happy about something I've got!"

"I acknowledge that this gift/blessing was not all my own doing."

"I recognize the value of another."

"In appreciation, I hold myself accountable to the giver for reciprocity."

But which category do you spend your time counting? This too reflects depth of character, ie, maturity.

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