Thankful For the Giver, Not Just For the Gift

As we meditate this week on all the blessings that God has showered down on us, let's not just be thankful for the gifts. Let's also be thankful for the Giver.

In Luke 17:11-19 when Jesus heals the 10 lepers, only one returns to thank Jesus. The other nine do not, prompting the response from Jesus in v. 17: "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?"

Put yourself in the shoes of the nine lepers. You've just be healed. Your life has been restored. You've been given the green light to go home to your wife, your children, your job -- to be reinstated into society. What would you do? I tend to believe we'd do the same as the nine lepers did. We're social creatures. We crave social interaction. Just think how many times you check Facebook per day. How many times you check your email. How quickly you respond to text messages. As I wrote last week, you and I have a lot to be grateful for. And there are times in our life when we need to slow down, take a deep breath and think about what we do have.

And first and foremost, we should be thankful for God in our lives. In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul does not paint a pretty picture of those who are "dead in trespasses and sins." But beginning with v. 4, look who intervenes. God does. A God who is rich in mercy, love, kindness and grace.

Those nine lepers most likely couldn't wait to see their wives, children, friends, and to share the incredible news that they were healed. Lost in all that: They forgot to thank Jesus. How many gifts do we receive day-by-day, and we're thankful for the gifts, but forget to thank the Giver?

Thank God every day. Thank God for being God. Thank God for who He is and all that He brings to the table.