A true Christian should not need the government to set aside one day per year as “Thanksgiving Day” to remember to be thankful.  In fact, our lives should exude thankfulness and should be characterized by thanksgiving.  1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God…”  Colossians 3:15 instructs “…be ye thankful.”

What are some things for which a Christian should be thankful?

1. We should be thankful for the food we eat (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
2. We should be thankful for faithful brethren (Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-8; Col. 1:3-4; 3:12-   15; 1  Thes. 1:2- 3; 2 Thes. 1:3-4; Rom. 1:8; 16:3-4; 2 Tim. 1:3-5).
3. We should be thankful for our families (Psalm 127:3; Prov. 17:7; 18:22).
4. We should be thankful for the pattern that God has given us to live within, and by which to conduct our lives (Col. 2:6-7).  This pattern, if followed, will make us better husbands, wives, sons, daughters, neighbors, friends, employers, and employees.
5. We should be thankful that God has saved us.  1 Cor. 15:57 reads, “thanks unto the Father which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Col. 1:12-14 “… thanks  unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath
   delivered us from  the power of darkness, and hath translated us  into the kingdom of his dear Son: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
6. We should be thankful for what Jesus has allowed us to become (cf. 1 Tim. 1:12).  He took four fishermen, Peter, James, John and Andrew and made them “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).  He took Paul, the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), and transformed him into an apostle.  He is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb. 2:11)!

Who should be thanked?

The answer is God.  Consider:  1. It is noteworthy that when Paul considered the good done by brethren, he thanked God (Phil. 1:3-5; 2:13-14; Col. 1:3-4; 1 Thes. 1:2-3; 2:13; 2 Cor. 9:10-15).  This is the case for it is God that motivates man to do the good he does (Phil. 2:13 cf. 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Cor. 8:16).  2.  It is God that should be thanked for our physical blessing, such as our food (1 Tim. 4:4-5; Matt. 15:36 cf. Mark 8:6; Matt. 14:19 cf. Mark 6:41). In fact, we owe Him thanks for our very existence. The Psalmist instructs, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture” (Ps. 100:1-3). In truth, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17).  3. Clearly, it is He from whom all spiritual blessings flow. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1Pet. 1:3-4). Conclusion: It is God, Who should be thanked.

May we always be thankful.  As for me and my house, we cease not to be thankful for you!