HAVE A THANKFUL HEART!

Because of the self-centeredness of the 21^st Century Christian a thankful heart is almost a scarce virtue in the church today. Believers seem to follow the trends of the world: wallowing in the mud pond of pride and egocentric-ism (self-centeredness). It seems these have become the hidden hub upon which the hearts revolve. And yet, on the contrary, the Bible endlessly instructs us to cultivate and nurture a thankful heart in all thinks and at all times.

That’s not to say that there is none thankful in the church today. I have come to know people who are so thankful and such a great delight to have around. Thankfulness is written all over their face and life. They say “thank you” even in the most unexpected situations. They leave you desiring to do more good again, either for them or for other people in need. They just spur you to good works! While I pastored Faith Baptist Church in Riverside Kitwe I was so privileged to shepherd some thankful hearts.

 On the other hand, sad as it may sound, there are believers who are so swallowed up in pride that every good done for them is perceived and received as though it was a debt you owed them. The phrase “thank you” is one of the most rare vocabularies on their lips. Even acts of thankfulness are only done for personal gain. Any good, materially, financially, or spiritual from others or by others is never viewed from a thankful heart but a competitive and inquisitive spirit. Such is not good at all. It is surely awful in the nostrils of God.

Pause and ponder with me for a moment. Is thankfulness an area of your struggle? Do you struggle within yourself at the good of others? Look at the apostle Paul’s heart and learn from him.

Paul was a very thankful person to the Lord for believers in another church that he had never seen or met. It was enough for him to exalt the Lord upon hearing the fruit of the gospel among them. Two churches can attest to this claim: the church at Rome and at Thessalonica. Observe:

Though the church at Rome church was not yet physically known to Paul at the time of his writing the book of Romans, he demonstrated a thankful heart to them. All he had heard about them was that the Lord had turned their hearts to Jesus Christ. Whatever he had heard of these young in the Lord spurred him with great eagerness to visit them. Therefore before he had ever traveled to meet with them he communicated to them his thankfulness to God. “First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” (Romans 1:8).  

To the Thessalonians as well, with the same spirit, Paul communicated a thankful heart. First, he admonished them to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:18). Then second, in his second letter to them, he declared to them that being thankful was his obligation towards God for them. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you…” (2 Thess 1:3a).

 Friend, incase you have forgotten, a thankful heart is a mark of true spiritual worship to God. Take time to nurture and cultivate it. Read your Bible and pray about this virtue to be made true of you. Choose to learn again to express gratitude towards what God has done in other’s life. Whenever you notice an act that bears the fruit of the truth of God and meets a need in others or yourself be thankful with your heart. Your simple gesture of thankfulness either by word of mouth or a good act can be a great encouragement to others, especially to those who watch your life.

So, the next time you encounter others doing good deeds be mindful of demonstrating a thankful heart towards God for them. It is a Christian virtue and a true mark of spiritual worship.