As we approach Thanksgiving, more and more signs and social media posts and stories center on the idea of giving thanks.
Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts” book points to this overflowing thankfulness as key to an abundant life. A #BeRich life! Here’s a passage where she focuses on Luke 22:19, which says, “And he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…”
In the original language, ‘he gave thanks’ reads ‘eucharisteo’ … The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning ‘grace.’ Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks.
But there is more, and I read it. Eucharisteo, Thanksgiving, envelops the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy” …Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo — the table of Thanksgiving.
Gratitude is remembering. When our hearts are truly filled with Thanksgiving, we remember what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Ann Voskamp sums it up this way, “Gratitude is not only the memories of our hearts; gratitude is a memory of God’s heart and to thank is to remember God.”
As you give thanks, consider how you can respond in gratitude. As we’ve learned through our Be Rich series, we can give our time, talent and treasures. Be Rich in good deeds! Check out these local opportunities.
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." – 1 Tim. 6:18