It’s an interesting fact that the Masai tribe in West Africa has an unusual way of saying, “I thank you.” They say literally, “My head is in the dirt.” When the Masai express thanks, they literally put their forehead down on the ground. They want to acknowledge gratitude with humility. It is also interesting that members of another African tribe express gratitude by saying, “I sit on the ground before you.” When one of them wants to express gratitude to another, he sits in front of the hut of the person to whom he wishes to express gratitude and just sits there in humility for an extended length of time. (Joel Gregory, “The Unlikely Thanker,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 110).
How do we show our appreciation to those we want to thank? Maybe the best way is by just saying, “Thank you.” Thank you is an expression that seems to be rarely spoken today. Yet, next to “I love you,” they may be some of the most powerful and thoughtful words we say to one another.
The Bible is full of examples of the thankful attitude that we as Christians are to have daily. The following list is just a sample of what the Bible teaches about giving thanks.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NKJV).
- Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:8, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!”
- 2 Corinthians 1:11, “You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.”
- Ephesians 1:16, “Do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”
- Ephesians 5:4, “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
- Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
- 1 Thessalonians 1:2, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.”
As we think about giving thanks around the holiday of Thanksgiving, may we be reminded that the Bible tells us as Christians to have the attitude of gratitude every day.
