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Practicing Gratitude and Thanksgiving in Christian Life

Gratitude and thanksgiving are fundamental aspects of Christian life, encompassing both an internal disposition and outward expressions of praise to God. The Bible frequently commands believers to give thanks [1], recognizing it as a "good thing" [1]. This practice is not limited to specific circumstances but is encouraged "in everything" [1, 10].

The concept of thanksgiving in the Old Testament is conveyed by the Hebrew word H8426, which can mean confession, praise, or thanksgiving, often in the context of liturgical worship, hymns, or thank-offerings [7]. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ himself set an example of thanksgiving, giving thanks before meals and in prayer [1]. The heavenly host is also depicted engaging in thanksgiving [1].

Christian teaching emphasizes that thanksgiving should be directed to God and to Christ, and offered through and in the name of Christ [1]. This includes giving thanks for ministers [1], in private worship [1], and in public worship [1]. The scope of gratitude extends to all aspects of life, including temporal blessings, spiritual benefits, and even afflictions [12, 14]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, notes that "all things work together for good to them that love God," suggesting that both prosperity and adversity can be subjects of gratitude [10]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, similarly advised giving thanks for everything that befalls a person, including disease and poverty [13].

Thanksgiving is closely linked with other Christian virtues. It is seen as a manifestation of God's grace [6] and is connected with humility, a state of mind pleasing to God that preserves tranquility and fosters patience under trials [8]. Diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and striving for perfection are also associated with a thankful heart [9].

The practice of thanksgiving is not merely an emotional response but a conscious act of acknowledging God's blessings. It involves looking beyond self-interest to express gratitude for divine provisions [11]. For instance, the institution of the Feast of Tabernacles in ancient Israel was designed to perpetuate the memory of God's providence and grace, fostering a spirit of gratitude and obedience among the people [15].

The Apostle Paul encourages believers to give thanks "always for all things" [14]. This includes giving thanks for our existence, the preservation of life, food, clothing, and all the mercies of life, as well as for spiritual blessings such as election, redemption, sanctification, adoption, pardon, and justification [12, 14]. Even in situations where one might be slandered for partaking in something with thankfulness, the act of giving thanks remains central [3, 5, 17].

The New Testament also connects gratitude with stewardship. Believers are encouraged to use their gifts in serving one another "as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms" [2, 4]. This implies that the grace received should be acknowledged and utilized in a way that honors the Giver. The "grace" mentioned in Hebrews 12:28, which allows believers to serve God acceptably, is interpreted by some as "thankfulness" [16]. This highlights the integral role of gratitude in acceptable worship and service to God.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
  2. 1 Peter “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. -- 1 Peter 4:10”
  3. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 10:30 (BSB) — If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?”
  4. I Peter “I Peter 4:10 (LEB) — Just as each one has received a gift, use it for serving one another, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”
  5. 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 10:30 (NASB) — If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  7. STEPBible TBESG “[H8426] H8426 = (H8426) — 1) confession, praise, thanksgiving<br>1a) give praise to God<br>1b) thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship, hymn of praise<br>1c) thanksgiving choir or procession or line or company<br>1d) thank-offering, sacrifice of thanksgiving<br>1e) confession”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  10. 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks - For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. For this is the will of God - That ye should be always happy; that ye should ever be in the spirit of prayer; and that ye should profit by every occurrence in life, and be continually grateful and obedient; for gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 50:14: 50:14 Thankfulness means looking beyond self-interest to express gratitude for God’s blessings (see 51:15-17; 54:6). • True sacrifice requires offering one’s self to the glory of God (50:23; Rom 12:1-2).”
  12. 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5:17: In everything give thanks,.... That is, to God the Father, in the name of Christ; see Eph 5:20 thanks are to be given to him for all things, as the Ethiopic version renders it; for all temporal good things; for our beings, the preservation of them; for food and raiment, and all the mercies of life; for the means of grace, the word and ordinances, and the ministers of the Gospel; for spiritual blessings, for electing, redeeming, regenerating, adopting, pardoning, justifying, and persevering grace: for a meetness for heaven, a right unto it, and a good hope of ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: of praise’ of ver. 19 , which is to take place audibly, as well as in the heart,—further and in particular, the ‘thanksgiving’ which the readers have always for all things to render to God.”—Meyer.—G.A.] he says, “for all things.” 139 What then? Are we to give thanks for everything that befalls us? Yes; be it even disease, be it even penury. For if a certain wise man gave this advice in the Old Testament, and said, “Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate” ( Ecclus. ii”
  14. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:18: Giving thanks always for all things,.... For things temporal, for our beings, and the preservation of them, and for all the mercies of life; for things spiritual, for Christ, and for all spiritual blessings in him; for electing, redeeming, sanctifying, adopting, pardoning, and justifying grace; for a meetness for heaven, and for eternal life itself; for the Gospel, promises, truths, ordinances, and ministry; and this is to be done always, at all times, in times of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution, as well as in prosperity: unto God, a”
  15. Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 23:43: That your generations may know, etc. - By the institution of this feast God had two great objects in view: 1. To perpetuate the wonderful display of his providence and grace in bringing them out of Egypt, and in preserving them in the wilderness. 2. To excite and maintain in them a spirit of gratitude and obedience, by leading them to consider deeply the greatness of the favors which they had received from his most merciful hands. Signal displays of the mercy, kindness, and providential care of God should be particularly remembered. When we recollect that we des”
  16. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 12:28: receiving--as we do, in prospect and sure hope, also in the possession of the Spirit the first-fruits. This is our privilege as Christians. let us have grace--"let us have thankfulness" [ALFORD after CHRYSOSTOM]. But (1) this translation is according to classical Greek, not Paul's phraseology for "to be thankful." (2) "To God" would have been in that case added. (3) "Whereby we may serve God," suits the English Version "grace" (that is Gospel grace, the work of the Spirit, producing faith exhibited in serving God), but does not suit "thankfulness."”
  17. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:29: For if I by grace be a partaker,.... Either of Christian liberty, through the grace of God; or of the creatures God has given men to eat of through his goodness, and which are enjoyed by the saints with thankfulness: why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? that is, why should I expose myself to evil tongues, the blasphemies and reproaches of men, by eating things of this kind, under this circumstance, when there are so many creatures I can use without offence, and be thankful for? or why should my liberty be reproached through an imprudent ”
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