Give Thanks

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. 2And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. 3And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 4And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (John 6:1-11)

In many cultures around the world, it is important to show gratitude for something received. This means that being grateful is response for a good act or deed done. 

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples”….. (John 6:11). Something very significant about this story is that Christ gave thanks to God even when it was clear that the feeding situation is far from being solved. While we call the feeding of the multitude a miracle, let us not forget that Christ gave thanks before receiving. 

God wants us to always give thanks to him even before receiving. With the “very little” they had, he (Christ) gave thanks and what they had became more than enough. 

What is the “very little” you have? 

As Christians in the workplace, having an attitude of gratitude can become a difficult task when work conditions are not pleasant. What God desires is that our gratitude should come from a response of an inner posture of hope and confidence in God, and not only a response of something received. 

Challenge 

What is the “very little” you have? 

You can give thanks to the Father for it and watch Him use it to feed souls through you. 

Prayer 

Dear Lord, help me to always give thanks for all that I have, even the very little I own. Amen.