Gratitude is not Thanksgiving (2)

Gratitude is not about our Things

This evening we are going to continue to look at Gratitude and how we are to always be grateful no matter what we are going through in life.

As we started this study I wanted us to remember that thanksgiving is not just a holiday.

Gratitude is a daily practice.

Our first week we looked at how gratitude is not about how we feel or our emotions.

Our feelings and emotions change very quickly but God’s faithfulness is consistent and trustworthy.

SO despite how we feel we should count it all joy.

Also a grateful person is not only going to be a faithful person, but also a grateful person will do what we learned Sunday night in

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV 1900

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV 1900

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

If we are saved that ultimate sacrifice that paid the debt that we owed and couldn’t repay was Jesus who gave his life for us.

When we understand those of us that has been on the receiving end of God’s unconditional love. How in the world can we not extend grace and kindness to others.

This evening I want us to look at How Gratitude is not about our things. Gratitude is not about the things we possess.

Over and over the bible warns us about making the things we possess as idols.

Material things no matter what they cost are nothing.

Remember the parable that Jesus told we studied many times in

Luke 12:15–21 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

The things that we possess in life is not where real worth and value lie.

There are those who determine how good their lives are by the things that they have or do not have and that is what determines their quality of their lives.

Paul said in

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This teaches us that believers should always be thankful because of the the faithfulness of God.

But we have to remember that our gratitude should not be based on our circumstances.

It is not based on what we have or don’t have.

Every one of us has our basic needs to make it in life but beyond that we don't have to have the nicest of everything, vehicles, houses, jewelry, some fancy vacation to Bora Bora to post on Facebook.

It is ok to have these things if God blesses us with them but that should not be what our gratitude is based on.

I hope none of us in here are that person there are people who base their gratitude to God and everybody else based off of what things they have or don’t have.

Their mentality is if they don’t have everything they don’t have a reason to be grateful for anything.

As saved people we need to be like Paul says in

Philippians 4:11 KJV 1900

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

As saved people we should be content in Jesus Christ. That is where we will always find true happiness.

Let’s look a little closer to what Paul is telling the church at Thessolanica

First notice this clear command in V-18 “Give Thanks”

We have to understand that verses 16-18 go together where Paul has already said rejoice always and pray without ceasing.

Then he says we are to give thanks. All three of these commands should come natural to saved people. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks.

There are so many things that God has done for me and that he has done for you and he aint stopped he is continually doing so much for me and you.

God has been very good to me and my family.

We all know in this room about Jesus’s saving grace but what we forget many times is the little things.

The air that we breath, the house we live in, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, our jobs, our family you get the point.

So many times we give credit to our employers for giving us a job to help provide all these things and we should appreciate them. But don’t forget it is ultimately God that has blessed you with everything you have.

All of us stand before a gracious God helpless with nothing to offer him but us being obedient to him. Remember that is how we show our gratitude to God and that is being obedient to him.

But God continues to bless us despite us.

The command does not end when the bible tells us to give thanks in all things.

Our gratitude to God should be unconditional no circumstance that we find ourselves in should ever diminish any gratitude we should be showing him.

Matter of fact the bible says we should even find joy in those times as hard as it may be.

Why is it that we should give thanks in all circumstances? Because it is also a matter of worship.

Consider the story of Job, who lost everything—his family, health, and wealth. Despite this profound loss, Job responded with gratitude, saying, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' (Job 1:21). His faith and gratitude were not tied to his possessions but to his relationship with God. Even in suffering, Job models a powerful truth: our gratefulness hinges on our understanding of God’s character and His eternal promises, rather than temporary circumstances or belongings.

When we are going through a tough season in life we cannot deny the faithfulness of God.

That is enough to give God thanks and praise.

You know something else when we talk about giving thanks to God in all circumstances what else it give is a wonderful witness.

When life is good many people around us understand when we give God praise, But when things are terrible and we giving God praise.

The everyday person can’tr understand that and it is a huge witness to them that we can still give God praise even when things are not good.

What I want us to do when we leave here tonight and even right now is think about how you have let the material things to be more important in your life than Jesus Christ.

There's a story of a child who had nothing, yet every night, they prayed with fervor, thanking God for the stars, the moon, and the food they would have tomorrow. The child's gratitude shone brightly even in poverty, making adults question their own possessions. Their heartfelt appreciation for life’s simple joys serves as a powerful reminder that gratitude isn't about material wealth but about recognizing the blessings we often take for granted. In the same way, we are called to find joy and thankfulness in our daily lives, irrespective of our situation.