In a few weeks we will be celebrating “Thanksgiving.” The true meaning of thanksgiving can simply be understood by dividing the two words that make up its name. “Thanks,” meaning to be thankful for, and “Giving,” meaning that we share that which we are thankful for. In the OT when the Jew was thankful to God, he would offer back to God the best of his flock, and the best of all his increase. Therefore being thankful is a state of mind that appreciates what God has freely given to us, so that we share it with others as God shared it with us. Being thankful doesn't look at what we don't have, but rather it shares the best of what we do have. As Christians we have been given so much in Christ Jesus. Take our salvation, we didn't earn it, or work for it, all we did was accept God’s gift that He freely shared with us. The Bible says, that God so loved us that He shared Jesus Christ with us, and God expects us to share and give to others as Christ gave. In (Luke 17: 11-19) ten lepers were cleansed from their leprosy by Jesus, and although all 10 were cleansed, only one had the true spirit of Thanks-giving. He came back and desired to give himself back to Christ. Why, because he was truly thankful! I wonder how many of us truly appreciate not only our salvation, but all that has been given to us freely in Christ. If we really did, wouldn't we be more thankful also and share not just Jesus with others, but also ourselves, and all that we have been given as well ?
