Webster says Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks
How do we do that?
Having a grateful heart
Spirit of thanksgiving
Being content
Not feeling entitled
By not expecting
Thanksgiving characterizes the Righteous
Ephesians 5:3–4 NASB95
3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;4and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Colossians 2:6–7 NASB95
6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Psalm 97:12 NASB95
12Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,And give thanks to His holy name.
Psalm 140:13 NASB95
13Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;The upright will dwell in Your presence.
Thanksgiving glorifies God
Psalm 69:30 NASB95
30I will praise the name of God with songAnd magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Jeremiah 13:15–16 NASB95
15Listen and give heed, do not be haughty,For the Lord has spoken.16Give glory to the Lord your God,Before He brings darknessAnd before your feet stumbleOn the dusky mountains,And while you are hoping for lightHe makes it into deep darkness,And turns it into gloom.
Thanksgiving honors God
Psalm 50:23 NASB95
23“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;And to him who orders his way arightI shall show the salvation of God.”
Isaiah 29:13 NASB95
13Then the Lord said,“Because this people draw near with their wordsAnd honor Me with their lip service,But they remove their hearts far from Me,And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
Psalm 100:4 NASB95
4Enter His gates with thanksgivingAnd His courts with praise.Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
What should we give thanks for?
Health/strength/life/peace/protection/favor/food/water/clothing/shelter/friends/family/pain/sorrow/struggle/lack/sleeping bags/pillows/heaters/air conditioners etc.
i.e. EVERYTHING
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95
16Rejoice always;17pray without ceasing;18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
You never truly learn to be grateful and give thanks until you experience lack
Philippians 4:11–12 NASB95
11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
To Sum Up
The normal response of a grateful heart is Thanksgiving.
You can feel grateful from the heart when you are content with what God has given you, and when you don’t feel entitled to have more than what you have.
We loose blessing when we choose not to give thanks.
True Thanksgiving (Gratitude) is from the heart and can not be faked.
Ungratefulness is not Godly and expresses a heart of selfishness.
True Thanksgiving can only be learned through lack.