THANK THE GIVER
An African adage says, “When you thank a giver, she gives more.” A Nigerian traditional musical legend, late Chief Oliver the Conque played a track expounding the adage. This theme has been a major sermon topic for many preachers, at different events, even at death. Even though we are urged to give thanks always, but November is the month of Thanksgiving for North Americans. It’s a time most Americans return home to re-unite with their kindred; enjoy a round table fellowship meal of stuff turkey and give thanks to God for His bounteous mercies, unconditional love and for His daily presence in the affairs of men. Apostle Paul admonished, “Always be joyful. Pray ceaselessly. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]. The Amplified Bible put it this way, “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [The Revealer and Mediator of that will].
Our Daily Manna [A Devotional Booklet for Champions] quoted Mary Manin Morrissey who said, “It’s easy to feel grateful when we receive a raise, meet the love of our life, or watch our children succeed, but Spiritual gratitude is not circumstantial. It arises from a truth, knowing that God is our Source. We can feel thankful for everyday, even in the middle of life’s challenges.” We thank God even in ugliness, in delays, in sufferings and when we face disasters, in sickness and rough times of life. We thank God in terror and in death. We thank God because He did not answer all our prayers. Most times unanswered prayers get us frustrated but our compassionate God sees and knows the end from the beginning. We should thank God for our parents, family members and Church family. We also thank God for our spouses, our children, faithful and unfriendly friends as well as men and women He has put on our ways; for our means of livelihood. We should be thankful for our nation and nations of the world; those leading in corridors of power, for men and women in uniform serving and protecting our land. By their selfless services, we enjoy the life we live today. We thank God for those who do not like us, our lifestyles and dispositions as well as progresses and what we believe in.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”[James 1:17]. Who is referred as a Father and a Giver? Jesus was God’s unique son and He called Him “My Father.” In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught His disciples; He called Him, Our Father, who art in heaven. He is The Holy and Righteous Father, The Father of mercies, Father of Glory and Father of lights [Matthew 6: ; John 17:11; 2 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 1:17]. The Lord revealed, “I [God] form the light, and create darkness: I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things.” [Isaiah 45:7]. He promise, I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret place that thou may know that I, The Lord ……. [Isaiah 45:3]. God declares, I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another……… [Isaiah 42:8]. Augustus H. Strong in his Systematic Theology describes God as the “infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support and end.” Strong expounded on Apostle Paul’s: For in Him we live and move and have our being…. [Acts 17:28].
Good takers are often selfish givers. They seek for opportunities to grasp, hoard and convert as well as possess; always thinking about self. I conclude with a quote from Albert Einstein, “A hundred times everyday I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men and women, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in others to give in the measure as I have received and am still receiving.” Indeed, God is our maker and Giver and deserves our daily praise and thanksgiving and that we also appreciate those He has put in our ways to help us and those that need our help.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: weefreeministries.org or P. O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272.