November 22, 2019 – Click here to listen
We are fast approaching Thanksgiving. It is a special day that was set aside by the early settlers to offer thanks to their creator. Like Christmas and Easter, the true meaning is being distorted and it has become a secular holiday about turkey and all of the trimmings, huge discounts and sales of merchandise, and football. But it was originally about thanking God. Thanking someone is like bacon and eggs to the giving process. I can only imagine how it makes God feel when we display an unthankful attitude, especially for giving us His Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. I know how it makes me feel for someone not to thank me for something I’ve given them or done for them and I suspect God is hurt by it too.
I ran across an image that should give pause for reflection:
I can only imagine the tons of food thrown away after Thanksgiving in the United States, and yet there are people who will go hungry that day and the days after. Some are too lazy to work, mentally ill, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and others are stricken by misfortune and hard times, but no matter why they are too poor to buy food they are still hungry. Should we separate them and give only to those who are hungry due to causes beyond their control?
I’ve worked long hard hours for years and years to rise up out of utter poverty and often I find it difficult to give my hard earned money to someone who won’t work and doesn’t deserve it. It sometimes seems like just throwing it down a rathole or giving it directly to a rat. Then I think that I do not deserve anything short of going to hell and I’m a rat myself. As a rat I ate many meals in the Salvation Army mission system as well as received clothes on occasion and a warm place to spend the night to escape the bitter cold on the streets. To them I was just another human being in need, not a messed up rat. I was young and strong and could have easily worked, but apparently that didn’t enter their mindset. They just love all and serve all regardless of why someone shows up at their door.
Today the Salvation Army is still my favorite charity and their work says more about following the commands of Jesus than many churches I’ve been in. Clement Stone has it right, If we are really thankful, we share. When you see those Salvation Army bell ringers while shopping this year, don’t hesitate to fill those pots with your hard earned cash. I assure you that it is being used for worthy causes. And then thank God for putting you in a position whereby you can do so . . .
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!