And be thankful

We may think of Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles—which he certainly was. But he was also the “thankful apostle”. Of the 69 times in the New Testament where thankfulness is mentioned, 49 of them are in Paul’s letters. The only two times being thankful is mentioned in Acts, both are Paul. (The numbers in different translations vary, but only very slightly.)

More than anything else, we find Paul giving thanks for the people he’s writing to. Thankful for their faith, for their fellowship, for them being in his life.

Paul also refers several times to giving thanks for food, There’s no indication he’s worried about going hungry. Paul just thanks God for His daily gifts, acknowledging that what comes from God’s creation keeps us alive. It’s very clear that Paul regularly (likely always) gave thanks for his meals. This is a practice many believers embrace to this day, and clearly it’s well-founded. Not only Paul, either. Jesus also gave thanks for food. Including at the last supper, giving thanks for both the bread and the wine—which he forever connected to his coming sacrifice.

I’m guessing here, but I suspect that you who are reading this, often or always, give thanks for your food. But maybe not as often for fellow believers, those around you and (like Paul) those who are distant. Even those you haven’t met, as Paul does.

Paul was a man of prayer. Much prayer. I wish my prayer life was as rich, as extensive, and as selfless as his. But wishing isn’t very fruitful, is it? We have to go beyond wishing.

A few examples that we (that I ) might take to heart:

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (Romans 1:8-10)

This is what I’ve been talking about. There are several like this in other letters. In this case, he had never been there! So, how am I doing in praying for and giving thanks for distant brothers and sisters? How about those I haven’t even met?

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11-12)

The point of generous giving is not so that we are thanked—it is so that God will be thanked. So first, am I giving generously? And then, do I direct all the thanks to God?

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks in ALL circumstances. There are some circumstances that it seems pretty hard to be thankful for.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17)

This passage gives us the title for theses thoughts: “And be thankful.” Just decide to be. Am I making that decision? Let the peace of Christ fill me. Let the word of Christ dwell in me. Whatever I do, do it thankfully, in the name of the Lord Jesus. How am I doing with all of that?

The “thankful apostle” didn’t have things easy. Far, far from it. But here he is, overflowing with thankfulness. Showing us how it’s done.

Love, Paul