Living
a Thankful Life
Luke 17:11-19
Being thankful needs to be
demonstrated physically. We can understand that we were given something or
something was done which was to our benefit, but we still need to demonstrate our
gratitude.
In Luke 17, we read about ten
lepers who ask for healing from Jesus as he
passed by their town.
and lifted up their voices, saying,
"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."
Luke 17:13 ESV
Jesus give them instruction
to leave Him and go to the priests. As they are going to the priests, the ten
lepers are healed. However, only one
leper out of the ten come back to thank Jesus and give praise to Him for the
healing that was given.
Then one of them, when he saw that
he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his
face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15-16
ESV
One reason Jesus calls us to this
scripture is to remind us how much has been given and how we do not show
gratitude to the right people or to God. Taking
time to reflect on all the things that have happen to is and how often there
has been intervention by God or others. A
thankful heart realizes that what one has or has been given is not because of
our own ability and therefore we are compelled to show our gratitude. A
thankful life will only take place if we have generous hearts.
Interestingly all ten lepers are obedient and healed. Jesus does not commend their obedience, but He does acknowledge and praise the one who showed gratitude. The lepers who went to the priests would have given them a thank offering as required. The lepers would have given thanks to the priests. Jesus sent the lepers to be grateful horizontally so we can understand the vertical influence. Only one gave thanks to the vertical influence.
The truth is that each one of us is
a debtor of thanksgiving. So
much has been given to us and we have not returned gratitude. In fact, the
history of our lives has been shaped by many different people to bring us here.
God put those people in our lives and we are where we are now because of them.
For who sees anything different in
you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do
you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
The
Reasons to Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is crucial in our
lives perfects the blessings that God has given to us. When we practice a
thankful life perfect the blessings from God. As we acknowledge God's goodness,
we are drawn closer to God. As we realize how much Jesus loves us, we want to
love Him back.
And
he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Luke
17:19 ESV
Living a thankful life allows us to
preserve our blessings. As we understand how much God has given us, we take
better care of our lives. We demonstrate our dependence on Him and as we
demonstrate our dependence on God, God takes more care of us.
Beware lest you say in your heart,
'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall
remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth that
he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
ESV
There are three ways to lose a grateful
heart. One, we lose a thankful life when we become complacent with our
blessings. We feel entitled and this entitlement makes our hearts grow cold. Another
way is when pride prevents from saying thankful. We believe
it is beneath us to thank someone who we see as undeserving. Finally, materialism
is another reason that causes us to lose our gratitude. The
more we get, the more we want. The world will never satisfy and as soon as we
are gratified, we want something new. All the more reason for the need to
reflect on our lives and remember the source of our life and blessings and to
be grateful.
