Thanksgiving Basics

We should be thankful (grateful, appreciative) - not 'be thankful' for all things, but in the midst of all things.

Because - A)  we are blessed, and
                B) we know it!!  (inherently! - without being told, without scripture)
Stats:  Thanksgiving = America's most celebrated holiday.
92% have a special family gathering and meal
83% offer special grace (thanksgiving prayer) at that meal
and
               C)  We know these blessings come from beyond us.  (not that we haven't worked hard to achieve, acquire, BUT our blessings are much greater than our efforts!!  our abilities!!!

Blessings List - how are you doing?
1) material - stuff and things?  house size? storage space?
2) financial - the poverty level in the USA (established by the Federal government for 2017) - household income, family of four = $24,600.00
On a worldwide scale:       
$24,600 - puts you in top 11% of world's wealthiest people
$25,000 -   "     "     "  "    10%
$30,000 -   "   "      "   "     7%
$35,000 -   "   "      "   "     5%
$40,000 -   "   "     "   "      3%

Question:  what does it take to be one the the elite?  one of the top 1% earners in the world today? -- $47,500
WHAT????  How many millions of people make more than $47,500 per year?
BUT - 3 billion live on less than $2 per day (in US dollars)

Well, if I'm so wealthy, why can't I pay my bills???   Answer:  says something about our lifestyle!!!! 

Blessing list continued:
3)  creation (our part of the country) - fall leaves, mountain views, autumn air.  Why is cabin rental industry exploding here? 
4)  health - availability of health, medical assistance?  Example:  life expectancy :  Mozambique - 39, Somalia - 48, Djbouti - 55, US - 78 1/2 (from insurance survey)
5)  relational - (people) spouse, kids, family, friends
6)  community - example:  our community fund raising events?
7  national - being a US citizen, prosperity, resources, freedoms, stability, security  (this = part of BIRTH blessings!!!
8)  opportunity - for career, education, wealth, business, family, location
9)  ability - Deut. 8:17-18 - God gives the ability.  However, affluence often breeds arrogance.
10)  spiritual - Salvation, beyond salvation - encouragement, comfort, guidance, direction, strength, HOPE!  Eph. 1:3
11)  former - blessings of the past
12)  future - blessings to come

So, how ya' doing?  Better than you deserve?  John 1:16 - and it's not over.

Therefore, again,  1) We should be thankful - attitude
          AND        2)  We should give thanks - action

Difference?  - action vs attitude
"be thankful" - listed 3 times in the Bible (NIV)
but in Action form - Give thanks, gave thanks, thank (v), thanksgiving (n) - more than 140 times.

Point:  for every 1 reference to attitude of thanks, you find nearly 50 references to the ACT of thanks!!!

AND, the most often used word in connection to "thanks" - GIVE"  (offer) - Give THANKS to God!!!  Thank You God!!  This is not for God's benefit, but for ours!! 

Our Model = Jesus - gave thanks to God before feeding the 5000, at Lazarus' tomb, at the Last Supper

Biblical illustration - 10 lepers - Luke 17:11-19.  How many were grateful???  probably ALL of them.
How many paused, returned to GIVE thanks??
(Note:  this = offering thanks to Him!, which is more than acknowledging it to one another!!)

2 words to the 2nd. Generation - Deut. 4:9
 1)  Remember - tendency is to forget
 2)  Teach

2 Words to us:
Col. 2:6-7 - continue,  
1 Thess. 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances