THE CONDUCT OF GRATITUDE

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    This Thursday will be Thanksgiving Day.

1.        It is supposed to be a day of gratitude.

2.       It is supposed to be a day when we give thanks for our blessings.

 

B.      We often think of gratitude in a very simple way.  We simply say:  “Thank you,” for something a person has done for us, or, for something a person has given us.

 

C.     Gratitude really runs much deeper than a couple of words. 

 

D.    In this lesson, let’s consider “The Conduct of Gratitude.”

 

I.             APPRECIATION FOR THE GIFT AND ITS VALUE

 

A.    This is the basic conduct of all gratitude.

 

B.      Appreciation.

1.        Thankful recognition

2.       Assessment of the true value of things and acknowledging its worth.

3.       Example:  A person gives us a $30.00 gift.  The individual makes $10.00 per hour.  He/she has invested three hours of his/her time in that gift.  The value lies in more than just the gift.

 

C.     Listen to Paul’s description of the gift given to him by the Philippians (Phil. 4:18).

 

But I have all, and abound, I am full, having received of Ephaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

 

II.           ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GIVER’S KINDNESS

 

A.    When individuals give us gifts, and when they provide services to us, they spring forth from the heart of the individual.  Usually, the heart manifests a spirit of great kindness.

 

B.      Isn’t this what we often acknowledge when we express our “thank you” to the person?  We will say:  “Thank you.  That was very kind of you.” 

 

C.     Our world is not a very kind world any more. 

1.        Many rejoice in speaking evil of others.

2.       Many take pleasure in doing others harm.

3.       It is refreshing therefore when an act of kindness is displayed to us. 

4.       Surely, we should acknowledge that kindness with a simple “thank you.”

 

D.    It was God’s kindness that gave Jesus to lost humanity (Eph. 2:7; Tit. 3:3-7)

 

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

 

 

 

III.         ASSERTS ONE’S HUMILITY

 

A.    One of the much needed elements we all need to possess is humility.  Peter exhorts his readers to be clothed with humility (I Pet. 5:5).

 

…and be clothed with humility:  for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

 

B.      Saying “thank you,” asserts one’s humility.

1.        I do not disdain your gift.

2.       I am willing to bow before you in gratitude for what you have done for me.

3.       I am not too good to tell you how much I appreciate what you have done for me.

 

C.     The one leper who returned to give thanks manifested his humility to Jesus (Luke 17:15-16).

 

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

 

IV.        AVOWS OUR CONTENTMENT

 

A.    Contentment involves being satisfied. 

 

B.      The Scriptures teach us to be people who are content, that is, satisfied (I Tim. 6:6).

 

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

C.     When we tell a person “thank you” we let them know that our needs, desires, and expectations have been met.

1.        We do not need anything else from them.

2.       We did not expect to get even this from them.

3.       We are content with the gift received from their hands.

 

D.    The example of two homes.

1.        Home #1:  A little girl received a Amazon Fire HD pad, three outfits, two pairs of shoes, a doll and doll house for Christmas.  There was no “thank you” from this little girl.  She just continued to ask her parents:  “Where is my bike that I wanted.”

2.       Home #2:  A little girl got one outfit, a pair of new shoes, a book, and a bag of candy.  This little girl ran to her single mom threw her arms around her neck, kissed her on the cheek, and said:  “Thanks mom.  What a wonderful Christmas!”

 

V.          ARTICULATE OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD

 

A.    God wants us to be doers of the Word (Jms. 1:22).

 

B.      He exhorts us in the pages of the Bible to be a thankful people (I Thess. 5:18).

 

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

 

C.     The words, “Thank you,” or, a card of thanks, both manifest obedience to God.

 

D.    We can never under estimate the importance of obeying God, even in the smallest matters

1.        Luke 11:28

 

But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

 

 

2.       Matthew 10:42

 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

3.       A cup of cold water

The words “thank you”

No picking up sticks on the Sabbath

A compliment

Paying the half shekel of atonement money

Opening the door for another

Do not touch the ark of God

“Yes sir” and “No “ma’am”

 

VI.        ACT LIKE JESUS CHRIST

 

A.    One of our main goals as Christians should be to follow the example of Jesus (I Pet. 2:21).

 

For even hereunto were ye called:  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps.

 

B.      Jesus often gave thanks, especially to God.

1.        Jesus gave thanks for the seven loaves and the few fishes before feeding the multitude of 4,000 men plus women and children (Matt. 15:36).

 

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks…

 

2.       Prior to His raising of Lazarus (John 11:41b).

 

…And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

 

3.       When He instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:27).

 

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.

 

C.     If we are going to act like Jesus as we should, we will develop the habit of giving thanks for every blessing, service, and gift that we receive.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    It is good to have a major holiday once a year that reminds us to give thanks.

 

B.      But we need to be people who give thanks every day for all of our blessings.

 

C.     Perhaps one place we need to begin involves thanking those who we often thank the least:  family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and God Himself.

 

D.    Psalm 79:13

 

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever:  we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.