12 Disciplines of a Grateful Heart

Part 12

Well, I’m finally coming to the end of the studies on the disciplines of a grateful heart.

 Here are the last two.

Show gratitude towards others as well as God

Give generously to those in need  

In all these 12 disciplines we’ve been looking at, none of them are mind blowing or remarkable. They are just basic things we need to do. They are simple yet they are often not easy tasks to accomplish. Everyone struggles with gratefulness and thankfulness and gratitude.

In these last two disciplines we see an outward focus towards others. It’s not only important to praise and thank God and express gratitude to him, but it’s important to express gratitude to others. We need to make it a point to say thank you to others for their kindness. The more you appreciate the people in your life, the more you’ll appreciate the one who brought them into your life. Taking time to say thank you to others not only encourages the recipient, but it also brightens the heart of the giver.

And we don’t need to just stick to friends and family. Sometimes a kind word to the cashier at the store and a word of thanks can brighten their day and show them just a glimpse of God’s love.

Not only should we say thanks, but we should give generously to those in need.

We probably all know of the many verses in the Bible on giving. Here’s just a few.

Acts 20:35

 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Deuteronomy 15:11

 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Matthew 5:42

 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:38

 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Giving to others is a concrete way of showing gratitude. We are given much and we should give much. Don’t be miserly with what you have. God has given us so much and none of it really belongs to us, so we can pass it on and be a blessing to someone else.

And when we give to others, we are really giving to God, as we see in the passage below.

Matthew 25:34-40

 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 hungered, 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.

In all these ways to give thanks, we are reminded of God’s goodness to us. Our lives are a gift from God and all our possessions are a gift from God. The people God brings into our lives, the trials he sends, the rain and the sun, the blessings and the burdens are all gratitude generators. At times they don’t seem to be thankworthy, but God is the giver of good gifts and he knows what we need. Our response is crucial.

So, here are the 12 disciplines once again to think on and strive towards putting into practice in our lives. If only we can become thankful, each and every day. Looking always for the rainbow behind the cloud and the sun in the morning. Giving thanks always for everything.

1 Give thanks as a holy discipline independent of feelings.

2 Give thanks for the small and ordinary things

3 Look for the hidden blessings

4 Thank God especially in the midst of adversity

5 Turn your attention from your problems to God’s priorities

6 Give your attention and care to those whose lives

 make your particular blessings stand out by comparison.

7 Set aside time daily to express thanks to God

8 Thank God publicly and corporately

9 Try a voluntary fast from something you take for granted

10 Keep a record of God’s faithfulness to you

11 Show gratitude towards others as well as God

12 Give generously to those in need  

“If we cultivate the discipline of gratitude, we can overcome the temptation to turn our backs on the Lord in self-absorption as the nine lepers did. Instead, like that healed Samaritan, we'll be sure to run toward the Lord, fall at His feet, and whisper often the words He delights to hear: "Thank you." P. Thigpen

God Bless and Give Thanks!