11-16-12 Bible Answers: Addressing gratitude, when giving thanks

“When you ‘give thanks,’ to whom are you addressing your gratitude?”—Dan 

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This question arose recently in a conversation about the acculturated nature of Thanksgiving and the seemingly vague, indefinite language in public discourse that surrounds the holiday.

People are encouraged to “give thanks” by politicians and media talking heads but the object of the thanks is not typically spelled out. Many expressions of “thanks” apparently just float out into space.

Everyone has a reason to say, “thank you.” We are all the recipients of the generous actions of others, both near and far.

Most of us have the basics we need for survival—and much more. 

So, to whom ought we “give thanks”? Interestingly, the Bible does not really address saying “Thank you” to other people. 

Of course, the importance of doing so is self-evident. “thank you” is fundamental to good manners and decency and the fostering of healthy human relations.

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