Thanksgiving (2)

Thanksgiving is sometimes linked with praise to God

Psalm 69:30 NIV

30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

See also 1 Ch 16:4; Ps 42:4; Ps 100:4

The duty of thanksgiving to God

1 Timothy 4:3–4 NIV

3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

See also Ps 107:8–9; Ps 147:7–9; Lk 17:17–18; Ro 1:20–21; Ro 14:6

The expression of thanksgiving to God

Through OT offerings

Psalm 50:14 NIV

14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

See also Le 7:12–15; Jon 2:9

In Christian gatherings

1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV

16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

See also 1 Co 10:30; 1 Co 14:16–17

Through song

Psalm 95:2 NIV

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

See also 1 Ch 16:7–9; Ezr 3:11; Ne 12:8; Ne 12:24; Ne 12:27; Ne 12:46; Ps 147:7; Is 51:3; Je 30:19; Eph 5:19–20

Through prayer

1 Timothy 2:1 NIV

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

See also Ne 11:17; Da 6:10

Through giving

2 Corinthians 9:11–12 NIV

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

In conversation

See also Eph 5:4

Believers are to give thanks in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

See also Php 4:6; Col 3:17

Thanksgiving for the blessings of salvation

1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Ro 7:24–25; 2 Co 2:14 for victory through Christ; 2 Co 4:15 for God’s grace; 2 Co 9:15 for Jesus Christ himself; Col 1:12; Col 2:6–7 for union with Christ

Examples of those who gave thanks to God

Jesus Christ

Mt 14:19; Mk 8:6; Lk 24:30; 1 Co 11:24

Paul

Ac 28:15; Ro 6:17; Eph 1:16; 1 Ti 1:12

Heavenly beings

Re 4:9; Re 7:12; Re 11:17