The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This tells me that no matter what is going on in the world, we should have an attitude of gratitude. What? Yes, we should always have a grateful attitude!
“Gratitude” … the quality of being thankful and ready to show appreciation for.
It is often said that the best way to show appreciation when someone gives you something or does something for you is to say thanks! That is cool; however, I would like to challenge the statement. I will start by saying this, “Not all of the time when someone gives you something or does something for you are they looking for something in return.” However, I do believe that it is always appropriate to say thank you; it shows good manners (but a pair of lips can say anything) therefore go above and beyond by complimenting your statement by showing that you’re thankful.
How? I am glad you asked! I believe the best way to show gratitude to the gift giver is to make the best of or do the best with the gift you have been given!
MAKE THE MOST OF IT!!!
There is a parable in the Bible, “Parable of the Talents” that tells of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one servant received five talents, the second servant received two talents, and the third servant received one talent. The property entrusted to the three servants was worth eight talents.
Upon returning home, after a long absence, the master asks his three servants for an account of the talents he entrusted to them. The first and the second servants explain that they each put their talents to work and have doubled the value of the property with which they were entrusted; each servant was rewarded. The third servant, however, had merely hidden his talent, had buried it in the ground, and was punished by his master. He, the one who had received the one talent came and said, “Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.” But his master answered, “Evil and lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received my money back with interest! Therefore, take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
What? Listen, life is a privilege! Today is called “The Present Day” it is a gift from God, and we must maximize the gift! I know that every day will not be your best day, but we must make the best of every day! We must maximize the gift and learn to go above and beyond of what is expected of you and watch the results! The Bible encourages us in Matthew 5:41 that, “… if someone compels you to go one mile, go two.”
Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, the next day after that, and every other day choose to be grateful by making the most of what you have been gifted!
God bless you,
Pastor Cooper
– Adrian is a life-long Waxahachie native. He is the pastor of Waxahachie Life Church and the owner of Future Generations Christian Child Care Center. He is passionate about the youth in our communities, and believes that investing in them is investing in the future. He and his wife, Marquita are raising 4 handsome boys.
