In browsing Dr. Pao’s book on thankfulness, I found a helpful perspective on thankfulness. He begins with a few observations of what thanksgiving is not:
1. “Thanksgiving is not offered because of the reception of a certain gift on the part of the author.”
2. “Thanksgiving in Paul is reserved for God and not human beings.”
3. Thanksgiving is not offered for just past acts, and future acts as well.
These observations set the course for the main point of the chapter. At its core, thanksgiving in the New Testament “affirms the supremacy of God the Creator and the might acts he has done on our behalf.” Thanksgiving is worship.
So to say “thanks” to God, but to deny him worship is like buying an engagement ring for a girl you never intend to marry.
This does not make thankfulness simplistic—as if “being thankful is just the same as worship.” Rather, it makes it richer and more joy-inducing because of how this is so different than the way human thankfulness works. When my roommate takes out the trash, I should thank him- but not with praise and worship! However, every time our eyes are opened to see a new perspective on the good things God has done for us, they can always lead us to worship because they always point to an even greater value of God himself.
