As we head into November, let’s prepare ourselves to have a heart of gratitude when we come together for Thanksgiving. In this final week, here is a devotion that reminds us of how gratitude is our highest form of offering:

IN WORD – Hebrews 12:28 says that gratitude is an acceptable offering to God. Why? Because it acknowledges who He is better than any other attitude. It recognizes that He is a Blesser, a Giver, and a Redeemer of incomparable worth.
Gratitude sees God as He is. Gratitude especially sees God accurately when it sees Him through Jesus. After all, the Incarnation was God’s plan to make Himself visible to human eyes. It was His aggressive strategy to make Himself accessible to sinners in need of salvation. Jesus is the ultimate act of God in this world.
For the early church, Jesus quickly became the identity of the believer. Paul, for example, saw himself to be crucified with Him, buried with Him, raised up with Him, exalted with Him, seated in heavenly places with Him, and united with Him forever. When someone is that identified with his Redeemer, the attitude of his heart becomes a clear statement of the Redeemer’s worth. If gratitude isn’t there, the Redeemer isn’t worth much to that person. If we value Jesus as our identity, we will be exceedingly grateful for what He means to us.
IN DEED – You may faithfully make offerings of money and time, but what are you offering God with your attitude? Is it an acceptable offering, declaring His worth accurately? Or does it underestimate His value in your life by neglecting the thankfulness due Him? Or were you even aware that the attitudes of your heart are, whether you mean it or not, a statement about Him and an offering to Him?
Watch your heart carefully. Whatever fills it will soon dominate your life and experience. With that in mind, let thankfulness flow from within as a sacrifice to God. Insist that your heart make statements of truth about your Redeemer, acknowledging the enormous sacrifice He made in order to offer you enormous glory. Recognize the salvation—the utterly complete, comprehensive salvation—that now defines your life. Whatever you do, do it in His name with thanks for who He is. “The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” —Mother Teresa (in “God With Us,” by Chris Tiegreen)

Too many Christians think offering is limited to tithes, but tithes are but a small expression of gratitude. The highest form of offering is when we give our all to Him (see Romans 12:1). In reality, it is God who is so merciful and gracious to only suggest that we offer a tithe when He could demand everything.
Do you need to be reminded that your whole life and being already belong to God? Take time to read Psalms 65 – 68 and use them this week, a psalm a day, to offer to the Lord the fullest thanksgiving possible. May a grateful heart bring the fullest joy to your daily life. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! – from Taipei, Pastor Sam