A Lesson from Jesus: Thanksgiving Attitude 101

As I think about the account of the feeding of the five thousand, especially according to the Gospel of John, Jesus tells the disciples after a long day of ministry: "You feed the people."

The disciples were shocked. They said: "Jesus, don't you realize we have thousands of people here? It would take thousands of dollars and there isn't even any catering service nearby."

Jesus didn't really answer their question, but instead he asked them: "What do you have?"

What do you have? Do you realize what Jesus was doing here? It would not have been difficult whatsoever to make all these people satisfied. Jesus could have just given the command. The miracle could have taken different avenues.

But Jesus decides to work his miracle through the people and with what the people have to bring to the table! They finally found a little boy with two fish and five loaves of bread. That was it! Not much, not much at all. In fact, just a drop in the bucket.

Here is what fascinates me: Jesus takes the few resources that are found and what did he do? He gave thanks for them! He gave thanks for that which was insufficient.

If this isn't a lesson in Thanksgiving Attitude 101, I don't know what is. What do we do when we don't have enough? Do we complain? Or do we give thanks to God for whatever little we have?

I truly believe that if we follow Jesus example and give thanks to God for even the little we may have, God is going to be faithful and multiply our resources. That's what God did in the feeding of the five thousand account.

Let us remember to give thanks for everything this season, even for that which seems little or insufficient.

Blessings.....Your Pastor