Sabbath Thought – Thankful

What would you consider the greatest sin a person could commit? There is such a long list of things we might consider. Maybe what we would consider the greatest sin to be is one we arrogantly think we would never commit. We might also consider or “grade” sin on what kind of life we have or what nation we live in. Setting all of those thoughts aside, I would present to you that the greatest sin we could commit is that of being unthankful to God.

How can I say that? The modern western culture is a very materialistic and pleasure-centered culture. At the peak of that culture sits the United States of America. We consume more resources as a percentage of population than any other country. We have more cars, TV’s, electronics in general, clothes and food at our disposal than any other group of people. Instead of being thankful for the blessings we have as a nation, we bite and devour one another (Galatians 5:15) and are more than willing to hurt someone else so that we can have more.

We counter being unthankful by choosing to be thankful! What blessings do you have in your life? What about protection from “The Thing That Never Happened” (the car that didn’t break down when it should have, the bad accident we would have been in if we had been a few minutes earlier or later, etc.). Do we thank God for items that last longer than they should have, or items of value that come our way that we didn’t have to pay for? Are we thankful for living in a country of such abundance? What about the blessing of our family and having safe shelter? Are we thankful for the health God gives to us, and healing when needed?

Mankind is not thankful to God for what He has created and given to them (Romans 1:21-28). Instead of glorifying God, they twist it into thought and actions abhorrent to Him. God has opened our minds to something far more glorious than this type of reasoning, but we must be careful to not become like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14. Has the gift of God’s Holy Spirit made this past year richer for us? We are spiritual heirs of Abraham under the sacrifice of Christ – blessed with Abraham (Galatians 3:6-9, 14-16, 24-29)! We are heirs of the same promise made to him! Are we thankful for the things being done for us by God (Ephesians 5:14-20)? Do we consider the blessings we receive because we are “not partakers with them...” (v.7)?

Are we thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and all that makes possible?  Do we give thanks that we are God’s Church (1 Corinthians 3:5-11, Ephesians 2:20-21)? Do we give thanks for having other members of the Body to pray for us, to encourage us, and to support us (Colossians 1:9-12, Hebrews 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:8)?  Are we thankful for knowing the suffering and trials we experience are for our refining? Are we thankful to know that as much as this world is tearing itself apart, we know God’s plan of salvation and that mankind has the potential to be in His family for eternity? Do we show our thanks to God through our actions (Hebrews 13:15-17, Colossians 3:17-24)?

We, God’s people, have even more to be thankful for than even the world around us. Choose to be thankful every day. What are you thankful for?

I wish you a thankful and restful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

17 January, 2026