Lynn Jones: Not taking things for granted, but with gratitude
By Lynn Jones
People can be divided into two groups—those who take things for granted and those who take things with gratitude. The greater the person, the more profound his sense of gratitude and thanksgiving.
James 1:16-17 says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” My, how God knows how to give good gifts to His children! The gifts of families who nurture us, the gift of freedom, the gift of food, houses, and this beautiful world. Gifts are not paid for, or they cease to be gifts.
Every month at our house, we get bills for the water, electricity, and gas that we’ve used. What if one month we got a bill from God for the water He has sent from above or the light and warmth He has sent from the sun? We haven’t received such bills because all these things are gifts from God. We should not take these things for granted. We should take them with gratitude.
In addition to these gifts, God also gives us the gift of His faithfulness. As children grow and mature, they need parents and others on whom they can depend. If these significant others in their lives cannot be depended on, it does much damage to children and their sense of security. God is One who is absolutely faithful and can be depended upon. James says that these gifts that he has mentioned “come down from the Father of the heavenly light, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (v. 17). The sun is one of the greatest of all created things, but even the sun rises and sits. As it makes its journey from rising to sitting, the shadows that it casts are always changing around us. Not so with God. He does not change. He brings stability to our world and to our lives. We can thank Him for the fact that He is absolutely faithful and unchanging.
The greatest gift that He has given His people is the gift of new birth. James says, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created (v. 18). This new birth comes “through the word of truth,” or the gospel. As we receive it, we are redeemed and changed. We become the “first fruits” of all He created. The first fruits of the harvest were offered to God and were His unique possessions. We occupy a wonderful position in creation. We are the “first fruits” belonging to God.
In light of these blessings, may God help us not take them for granted, but especially at this thanksgiving season, acknowledge with gratitude the blessings of God in our lives!
Lynn Jones is a retired pastor who lives in Oxford. He does supply preaching for churches in his area and often serves as an interim pastor. Jones is also an author, has written two books and writes a weekly newspaper column. He may be contacted at: kljones45@yahoo.com.
