The word “thanks” occurs some 12 times in the Gospels (WEB); 10 times when the word is used it refers to Jesus giving thanks for food. Giving thanks to the Father for our food is arguably a good practice and one that is ingrained in many children with a religious background. Unfortunately we too often mumble meaningless repetitions with no thought as to what we are even saying.
“Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, Or those who gorge themselves on meat: For the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; And drowsiness clothes them in rags.” (Proverbs 23.20-21 WEB)
I wonder about the oddity found around the country as we thank God for his bounty and sit down to gluttonous meals. Of course, this is not a problem only on Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps a larger problem than Christians overeating on Thanksgiving is the additional irony that many people are without adequate food, shelter or clothing. The book of James tells us that such knowledge requires our attention and our action.
They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do. (Galatians 2.10 WEB)
It is too easy for us as Americans to justify ourselves with the argument that social service agencies are taking care of the poor. The Scriptures clearly lay responsibility for ministering to and serving the poor on the people of God. When we forget the poor and the disconnected people in our community we forget God’s heart. We also miss the opportunity to be blessed ourselves as we minister the love of Christ to our neighbor.
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