Let's Take Time To Offer A Word Of Thanks!

The story is told of a young boy who was one day visiting his friend’s house for lunch. When the youngster sat down at the table, he bowed his head and waited for someone to give thanks for the meal.

However, the other boys at the table, began passing the food around. The young boy looked up and said, “You guys are just like my dog — can’t wait a second — you just dig right on in!”

Paul told Timothy that all food is to be received with "thanksgiving" to God (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Our expression of thanks acknowledges that what we eat is a gift from God.

When Paul wrote to his friends in Rome, he singled out the sin of ingratitude among the pagans. He said, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful” (Romans 1:21).

What does it say about our society, when people sit down to a table full of food, while pictures of starving masses flicker on their television screens, and never humbly bow their heads to God to express appreciation for their food?

Beloved, taking time to offer a word of thanks before each meal, is always appropriate for those of us who know that our daily bread comes ultimately from God (Acts 14:17; Matthew 6:11 cf. Psalm 65:10; Psalm 147:8).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets