I view Thanksgiving as the last Christian holiday. It seems every other holiday has been polluted by consumerism, but at least with thanksgiving we wait until the day after. However, for Christians, thanksgiving is not a one day deal, it’s a continual state of worship. In Ephesians 5:4 Paul says,
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Paul states here that the mark of Christian speech, in contrast to the speech of the world is thanksgiving. In other words, people should know that you are a Christian by your verbal thankfulness. Paul goes as far to say that the giving of thanks is fitting for a Christian (the opposite of out of place in vs. 4). Why is it that Christians should be marked by the giving of thanks? I think there are three main reasons.
Reason 1: We know the Giver
A Thanksgiving tradition at my household growing up, and a common one across the country, was to go around the table one-by-one listing the things we were thankful for. What I find ironic is that many who practice this tradition never consider whom they are thankful to. Where did the things come from that everyone is grateful for? If there is no person responsible, then who is receiving the thanks? The bible makes clear that God is the source of all good things (James 1:17) for believers and nonbelievers alike (Matthew 5:45). As Christians, we know not only the gifts but also the Giver. In fact, it is more than just knowing who gave us these things; the Giver is actually our heavenly Father. This realization should compel us as Christians to be continuously thanking God for the things he has given.
Reason 2: We have more to be thankful for
Although God is the source of all good things, we as Christians are the recipients of greater gifts. The Bible lists countless examples; including deliverance from sin (Romans 7:23-25), victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:57), and our fellowship in the Gospel (Philippians 1:3-5). However, the greatest cause of thanksgiving for the Christian is the gift of Jesus, which Paul calls God’s unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15). In fact, one of the names for the act of Communion, in which we remember what Jesus has done, is simply called the Eucharist. This word comes from a Greek word that literally means giving thanks. Each of these leads Christians to a heart and a lifestyle of thanksgiving.
Reason 3: Giving thanks protects us from idolatry and aestheticism
There are two errors that Christians are called to avoid: worshiping the gifts instead of the Giver, and abstaining from the gifts as an act of self-righteousness. Both of these are avoided by an attitude of thanksgiving. Giving thanks directs our worship away from the gift and back to the source, the Giver of that gift. It also leaves no place for mistaking abstinence from all things as a form of true righteousness (1 Timothy 4:3). In fact, thanksgiving can be used as a guide for what Christians should and should not do (1 Timothy 4:4). If you can honestly thank God for whatever it is you are about to watch, consume, or practice, you can be assured that it is permissible for a Christian.
The application for us is obvious. What would your friends, family and coworkers say is the defining characteristic of your speech? As Christians who personally know the Giver of all good gifts, enjoy the abundant grace of God through Christ, and have the only proper perspective towards God’s good gifts; we will fulfill God’s will for us in giving thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
