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Season of Giving, Part 4 - Giving Thanks to God

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash


Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:12–16 (NLT)
"What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people. The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die. O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains."

Introduction: A Day of Thanks or a Life of Thanks?

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American tradition. From the Pilgrims’ first harvest in 1621 to President Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863, it has always been intended as a day to pause, pray, and praise God for His provision. Yet too often, Thanksgiving becomes a single day of feasting followed by 364 days of forgetfulness.

The psalmist asked a searching question: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). It is not enough to feel thankful—we are called to live thankful. This is the shift from thanksgiving to thanksliving.

Three Responses of a Thankful Heart

1. Take the Cup of Salvation (Psalm 116:13)

The first and greatest gift of God is salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Gratitude begins with receiving this gift personally. We cannot truly thank God for sending His Son if we do not accept Him as Savior. To embrace the “cup of salvation” is to drink deeply of God’s mercy, grace, and eternal life.

Reflection Question: Have you taken hold of the cup of salvation, not just once, but daily? How does receiving Christ shape your gratitude?

2. Pay Your Vows (Psalm 116:14)

The psalmist declares, “I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.” Gratitude is expressed in faithfulness and public witness. Like vows in marriage, our vows to Christ are meant to be lived out openly, consistently, and joyfully.

Every Thanksgiving, we are invited to remember our commitments—times we promised God our devotion in moments of joy, grief, or conviction. Gratitude calls us back to those promises.

Reflection Question: What vows or commitments to God might you need to revisit and renew this Thanksgiving season?

3. Assume the Role of Servant (Psalm 116:16)

Gratitude overflows in service. The psalmist confesses: “O Lord, truly I am your servant.” This is the essence of thanksliving—allowing love for God to be shown in acts of love toward others. Jesus Himself modeled this when He came “not to be served, but to serve.”

True thanksgiving is never just words. It becomes tangible in feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, comforting the grieving, and lifting the burdens of others.

Reflection Question: Who in your life can you serve as an expression of thanksgiving to God?

Conclusion: From Words to Action

When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” He didn’t stop at Peter’s “Yes.” He said, “Then feed my sheep.” Love is proved by action. Thanksgiving is proved by service.

The Pharisee in Luke’s Gospel prayed, “God, I thank you…” but quickly turned his prayer into self-praise. The psalmist prayed, “O Lord, I am your servant.” One was empty. The other was full of love.

This season, let’s not stop at thanksgiving. Let’s practice thanksliving.

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