We all should have a thankful heart. Whatever we have, little or much, we should be thankful for it. It seems to be a lost character trait in society today. Instead of being thankful, there is an attitude of I deserve better, or I want more. There is nothing wrong with having things unless the things have you! If your life is consumed with getting more, then your things have you. You do not have a thankful heart, but a greedy heart.
The Apostle Paul was a great example of a thankful heart. In the book of Philippians, the first chapter focuses on how thankful he is for them. You can feel the love and appreciation he has for them as you read each verse. After his greeting to them, his first words are “I thank my God.” He thanks God for every time he remembers their fellowship in the gospel. He tells them he has done this from the first time he was with them, until he wrote the letter. He says they are always in his prayers, and that it is with joy that he prays for them. He is confident in their walk with the Lord. They have acted in a manner to leave no doubt about their relationship with Christ. Paul encourages them by reminding them that they are very much a part of his ministry. They have worked hard and sacrificed to send money to support Paul just as many support missionaries today.
Philippians 1:3-7 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”
In the next section of Philippians chapter 1, we see Paul longing to see them. He experienced the love they had for him and for each other when he was with them. Now, he is praying that their love will continue to grow. He wants them to seek excellence in their walk with Christ, to be sincere, and not be offensive with the gospel. He wants them to let their fruits of righteousness show in their daily lives so that others may be won. Fruits such as honesty, goodness, charity, kindness, and meekness. When lives are lived in this manner people see the difference Christ makes in a life, and they are more acceptable to what is presented to them.
Philippians 1:8-11 “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
Can’t you just feel the thankful heart of Paul as he expresses his love for them? A thankful heart will always be expressed. You can’t hide it. It’s like an oil well. When the oil is finally reached deep in the earth. the pressure is so great it comes gushing out, spewing, and spilling, over on all who are around it. This is how we should live our Christian lives. No one should question our allegiance to Christ. It should be evident by the way we treat others, the love we show, the honesty we exhibit in all our conversation and actions, the meekness we show in preferring others above ourselves. People will not listen to the gospel until they have seen the gospel. A thankful heart will be evidence of the one who dwells within us, and it should be expressed in everything we do.
What about your actions? Do you express thankfulness for what you have, not just in a prayer a couple of times a day, but in all your actions, or is your focus on constantly getting more? Are you concerned enough about those who are without Christ that you not only share with those around you but you support monetarily missionaries around the world, so others can be saved? When we have a thankful heart, it will affect everything else in our lives and we will make an impact for Christ on those around us!
