ThanksLiving: A Thanksgiving Reading PlanSample

We know that hostility toward God is theologically incorrect. But what about just occasional and random thanksgiving to Him? Did you know that a failure to give thanks in the worship of God leads to inadequate concepts about Him? Romans 1:21 tells us: “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused” (NLT). An unthankful spirit promotes confusion and idolatrous foolishness.

The following exercise will help you detect any unthankfulness in your heart. The dispositions in this list can’t coexist with thanksgiving. Ask yourself: do I struggle with any of these?

• discontentment, dissatisfaction

• criticism, non-cooperation

• self-sufficiency, pride

• rebellion

• complaining, grumbling, murmuring

• jealousy, envy

• competition, conquest, territorialism

• greed, acquisition, avarice, stinginess

• worry, fear

• entitlement

If we are honest, I think we will all admit we fall into thankless idolatry. Here are a few other questions to ponder:

• Am I too thoughtless or busy to identify my blessings?

• Do I presume the future must turn out as good or better than my past?

• Do I think less of spiritual blessings than I do of material blessings?

• Am I more taken up with the gifts than I am the Giver?

• Do I feel defeated in difficult circumstances?

• Do my prayers consistently include more requests than thanksgiving?

• Am I disappointed by God’s apparently “lesser” but equally gracious provisions?

• Are my views of success and significance distorted by comparing possessions or professions?

How do you feel after considering that list? As in most attitudinal sins, omission and commission are sides of the same coin. To not give thanks is to be ungrateful. Hopefully, your spirit is thankful enough to continue this reading plan with its call to reflection, confession, and correction.

How shall we keep from falling into just occasional and random thanksgivings? In the next few days, we will consider the definition of thanksgiving and explore its ongoing expression in life.