Text: 1 Timothy 4:4-5
It is important that we recognize the many things we have to be thankful for. But it is also important that we allow this sense of gratitude to impact how we conduct ourselves. So in this short series, we are discussing how we conduct ourselves with gratitude. In this third and final lesson, we will discuss how we are to enjoy our blessings with gratitude.
God Has Given Blessings for Us to Enjoy
- Every good thing in life is from Him (James 1:17) – everything in life is only possible through Him (Acts 17:25, 28)
- Our blessings provide us with the privilege of being able to help others (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) – we work to provide for ourselves AND to be able to help others (Ephesians 4:28)
- We must enjoy our blessings in harmony with God’s will (Ecclesiastes 11:9) – we are not to take what is good and use it for evil purposes (Romans 14:6)
How Gratitude Affects This
- We recognize our blessings as gifts from God (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19) – not what we have obtained independently from Him; we receive them with gratitude (1 Timothy 4:4)
- We will honor the Lord with what He has blessed us with (Proverbs 3:9) – be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:18); doing so brings praise to God (2 Corinthians 9:10-13)
- We will see these blessings as reasons to trust in God (1 Timothy 6:17-19) – the blessings we receive are a witness to Him (Acts 14:16-17)
What Happens to This When We Lack Gratitude
- We forget that God is the one who blesses us (Luke 12:16-19) – the rich man focused on himself; we need to have the riches that are found in Christ, not think we are sufficient without God (Revelation 3:15-18)
- We will only use our blessings for ourselves (Luke 16:19-21) – the rich man never helped Lazarus; he had his reward in full (Luke 16:25)
- We will put our trust in riches and serve them as our “god” (Matthew 6:24) – yet riches are fleeting (Proverbs 23:4-5); we need to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)
Conclusion
- Everything good in this life is from God – but we must receive these blessings “with gratitude“
- Recognize that our blessings are gifts from God
- Honor the Lord with what He has given us
- Remember that God’s goodness gives us reason to put our trust in Him
