Did you ever stop and wonder why Jesus thanked God before He broke the bread and fed the 4000? If you were like me, you might’ve thought of it from a “saying grace” standpoint. Remember, though, Jesus was only working with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish yet needed to feed 4000 people! And what happened after He gave thanks? The seven loaves and a few small fish were multiplied to feed a multitude of people!
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The disciples *said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And He directed the people to sit down on the ground, and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children." Matthew 15:32-38
Everything that we receive in life comes from the Lord above. Sometimes even those things that are painful… It’s all about perspective when giving thanks.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
She Reads Truth gives an excellent definition of what it means to give thanks: “It is a posture of worship, an active response to our unchanging God. We cultivate thanksgiving in our lives when we take time to notice who God is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. We can give Him thanks in every season of life because His character is steadfast.”
Let’s take a look at how giving thanks leads to multiplied blessings, which ultimately brings glory to God:
Giving Thanks in Abundance
What is abundance actually? Let’s look to the Bible for some answers.
"But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 8:18
The Lord has given each of us gifts not only in a spiritual sense but also in a practical, everyday sense. Some people are good with numbers and may choose a path of accounting or engineering. Others may have the gift of empathy and desire to go into psychology, nursing, or becoming a physician. The list goes on and on. Not only do we get to use those gifts because they bring us satisfaction and a sense of worth, but we also receive the benefit of being compensated for our efforts. You might say, but I’ve worked very hard for my degree and my career. Of course, you have! But it is the Lord who places wisdom and ability within each one of His children. As Sovereign Lord, He orders our steps.
Let’s take a look at another form of abundance:
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." Matthew 25:29
In whatever way the Lord has gifted us, whether through physical wealth or spiritual wealth, when we use those gifts freely and don’t hold them close, the Lord promises that more shall be given to us and we will have an abundance.
Abundance in life should automatically lead to a posture of giving thanks. When we receive gifts from the Lord—in whatever form with a grateful heart and seek Him continually—we will receive multiplied blessings.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
Giving Thanks in Need
Whenever I’ve heard missionaries testify about their experience in a very poor country, one common thread ties their stories together—the Christians they have met there are some of the most grateful and joyful believers they have ever had the privilege to know. When we watch presentations from their missionary trips, we see unimaginable images of deplorable living conditions, yet the resident Christians are smiling and their eyes are bright with the Joy of Jesus. How can this be?
If you’re like me, complaining about minor inconveniences is the go-to response. Are we walking around with the joy of the Lord beaming from our faces when we live in one of the richest countries in the world? I’ll go ahead and admit that sadly, I am not…
When we are in need, especially if we are living paycheck to paycheck and wondering how we are going to put food on the table, we don’t find it easy to give thanks.
"Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us." Psalm 67:5-6
Yet we are commanded to praise the Lord because the earth has yielded its produce and our God blesses us.
When we give thanks for what we do have, however little that might be, we will find the act of gratitude growing our hearts to see God’s blessings in all things. The “produce” it will yield is the fruit of the Spirit and the multiplied blessings of joy in our hearts.
Giving Thanks in Trials
The Apostle Paul taught, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). James, the brother of our Lord, agreed, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).
But how does that work? How do you give thanks for the death of a loved one, a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, a divorce, loneliness? This is not easy or our automatic response.
If we tease out the above verse from James further, we see the multiplied blessings of giving thanks when we are suffering: "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:3-4,12
For me, the gratitude seems to come after I’ve gotten to the light at the end of the tunnel. Then I’m full of gratitude and I usually can see how the Lord worked in the trial and even sometimes understand the "why" of it. It is, of course, good to be thankful once we are through the trial. But when we give thanks in the trial, we will receive the multiplied blessings of courage, strength, and peace beyond human understanding.
When our faith is tested, giving thanks needs to become a discipline, the habit of turning our hearts and minds to what the Lord has already done for us and putting on our spiritual glasses to see what God is doing in the present moment of our trial.
The end of 2022 through the spring of 2023 was one of the toughest health seasons of my life! But through the help of the Holy Spirit, I found myself being thankful for little victories within my sicknesses, remembering what God had already done. I was also thankful for the moments of supernatural peace because my natural state is one of high anxiety when it comes to my health.
When we cultivate thankful hearts in our trials, we will experience the multiplied blessings that come from the joy of the Lord.
Giving Thanks in All Things
When we find ourselves in need or experiencing various trials, our hearts may become anxious. When we set our hearts on giving thanks in all things, we will find ourselves happier and more at peace. Scientists have found that neurologically, our brain cannot be in a state of appreciation and anxiety at the same time. Studies have shown when we live in a state of gratitude, other positive emotions fill our minds.
For 2024, I had set an intention to keep a gratitude journal, which I have done every day since January 1st. I will admit that some days I have to think about what I’m grateful for, but I do ultimately come up with things that I am genuinely grateful for. When we make a point to record what we are thankful for, it turns our hearts towards God for we know that all that we have comes from Him. Making note of what we are grateful for is a wonderful antidote against resentment or envy and a beautiful record of God’s grace.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." 1 Corinthians 9:8
When we give thanks to the Lord in all things, He will make His grace abound to us, and we will receive multiplied blessings through having all sufficiency in everything and an abundance for every good deed. We are His precious children, the hands and feet of Jesus, and all that touches us whether good or bad, is for showing forth His glory, love, and faithfulness.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ADragan
Karen Del Tatto is a blogger, author, women's ministry leader, pastor's wife, mom, and grandmother who is passionate about the Word of God. Her blog Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge and her books Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry, A 30-Day Devotional and Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal reveal her heart for providing Biblical insights to encourage women to grow in and through their struggles while equipping them to overcome. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walks in the woods, owling, and spending time with their grandchildren.