Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a secular American national holiday celebrated with a feast, while biblical thanksgiving is a principle of constant gratitude and praise to God found throughout the Bible.

So much of our life is affected by this simple decision to respond to God in thanksgiving or not. Not just over a turkey dinner in November, but every day of our lives. Let's find peace this season and set our hearts on giving him thanks.

Key concepts of biblical thanksgiving

Praise and worship: Thanksgiving is an act of worship, often expressed through singing, music, and prayer. Psalms repeatedly call on people to "sing to the Lord with grateful praise" and "enter his gates with thanksgiving".

A lifestyle of gratitude: The Bible encourages believers to live a life of thankfulness, not just on special occasions.

In all circumstances: A key instruction is to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

For everything: Believers are to give thanks "in every way" and for "everything" because all good gifts come from God (1 Timothy 4:4, Ephesians 5:20).

Specific verses on thanksgiving:

Psalm 100:4: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"

1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Chronicles 16:34: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."

Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."