Lesson: Sunday, April 18th, 2020 Sis. Shawnta Harris
Saying “Thank You”
Has this ever happened to you? Your mother comes into your room while you are doing homework, lays your clean, folded laundry on your bed, stands by your desk for about ten seconds, then says, “You’re welcome!” before she stomps out the door. Or your dad drops you off at your friend’s house and as the car door is closing behind you, he shouts, “You’re welcome!” This is not the time to roll your eyes; consider what you have not done that has irritated your mom or dad.
You might have “thank you” down pat when someone gives you something you’ve already asked for, but having good manners also means saying “thank you” after people do something nice when you haven’t asked, or just out of the blue.
Let’s look at What the Bible Says About Thankfulness
Being thankful is a theme throughout the Bible. Psalms 107:1 says “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever”. And God doesn’t just want us to be good and thankful only to Him. In Matthew 25:34-40, as Jesus taught the people who came to hear Him, He told them this parable:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Also, Jesus tells us “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). If God wants us to do good to those around us, then He certainly wants us to express gratefulness to our family, friends and even those we don’t personally know. By exercising your good manners in telling someone “thank you”, you are pleasing God and representing Him well.
When do you show your thankfulness?
Say “thank you” anytime someone does something nice for you, no matter how well you know them.
Why?
Because family is where good manners begin, not where they end.
When do you show your thankfulness?
Say “thank you” when a teacher compliments your drawing, or the piano teacher remarks kindly on your playing, even if you’re not happy with your drawing or your performance.
Why?
Because rejecting someone’s kind comments on your accomplishment implies they have no taste, and that’s insulting.
When do you show your thankfulness?
Say “thank you” to the person who just made your strawberry-banana smoothie, handed you your change at the market, or gave you a program at the hockey game.
Why?
Because it makes people feel good to know their efforts are appreciated, and why wouldn’t you want to make someone feel good?
5 Scriptures About Thankfulness
- Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV - Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20 ESV - Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Psalms 105:1 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalms 100:4 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17