The Meaning of Thanksgiving in the Bible and Our Lives

Merriam-Webster defines thanksgiving as "the act of giving thanks; or a prayer expressing gratitude." Is this also the Christian meaning of "thanksgiving"? What exactly should Christians give thanks for and why? 

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" ~ Ephesians 5:20

Discover the true meaning and significance of thanksgiving in the Christian faith and the biblical definition of this virtue.

Christian Meaning of Thanksgiving

The spiritual person is the one who is thankful for everything. He is the one who receives everything with thanksgiving and who knows that he has nothing except what he has received from God. 

"A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven." (John 3:27)

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was fundamental in the life of God’s people. The temple liturgy offered offerings of thanksgiving and praise and sang psalms regularly of thanksgiving to God.

In the New Testament, thanksgiving is the heart of the Church’s life. The word eucharist means thanksgiving, and the very center of the Church’s worship of God is when, in remembrance of all His salvific acts in Christ, the faithful “lift up their hearts” and “give thanks unto the Lord.”

To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.

Bible Definition of Thanksgiving

The Gospels introduce and the Epistles develop the concept that gratitude for God's deliverance in Christ characterizes the believer. When a sinful woman interrupted a dinner party to anoint Jesus with precious perfume, Jesus told his shocked host that her action sprang from gratitude for forgiveness (Luke 7:40-47). When Jesus healed ten lepers as they walked to the temple, he marveled aloud that only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank him (Luke 7:11-19). Paul agrees that believers should be thankful for every individual provision and that gratitude for God's saving grace envelops the entire Christian life. Those whom God has brought from death to life should offer their bodies to him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). In view of God's mercies, knowing they were bought at a price, they should offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices in general and honor him with purity in particular (Romans 12:1; 1 Cor 6:20). Those who have received an unshakeable kingdom from God should be thankful, worship God, and faithfully endure the hardships of persecution (Heb 12:28).

A general attitude of thanksgiving in both the trials and blessings of life distinguishes the Christian. Paul enjoins his churches to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances (Eph 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), even in suffering (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:1-4), and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Col 3:17). On the other hand, thanklessness marks godless and wicked men who suppress the truth about God (Romans 1:18-21). Excerpt from Baker's Dictionary

The Importance of Giving Thanks

The spiritual person has thanksgiving and praise in all circumstances, in everything, and for everything. This thanksgiving is rooted in the total belief of God’s merciful providence and care in all things, in the constant faith that “God works in everything for good with those who love Him” or, as the passage may also be presented, “everything works together for good with those who love God” (Romans 8:28).

To thank God in everything and for everything is the fruit of faith and faithfulness in God. It is the outcome of complete trust in the Lord who knows best what we need for our salvation and does all that He can within the evil infirmities of the world to bring us to eternal life, peace, and joy. A person is thankful to the degree that he trusts in the Lord and has love for God and man.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Jesus Christ, my Lord, and God, I give thanks for your loving-kindness and all the blessings You have richly bestowed upon me.

I fall down in worship and adoration before You, the King of Glory.

I praise You, I glorify You, I bless You and I give thanks to You for Your great goodness and tender mercy. To You I come, my sweet Lord and loving Master.

Shine in my heart the light of Your grace. Enlighten my mind, that I may walk uprightly all my life by keeping Your commandments.

Glorified and exalted is Your holy name, now and forever. Amen.

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This article is part of our larger Thanksgiving Resource Library. Learn about the first Thanksgiving, what Thanksgiving means in the Bible, how to get along with your family, and ways you can make this celebration more meaningful.

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