From the Preacher's Pen November 2009 
"Thanks"
How many times have we heard a parent say to a small child that has just received a gift, "Now what is the magic word?" The child then looks up in the face of the giver of the gift and says, "Thank you! "Thanks" is such a small but powerful word; yet it does not come naturally. That is why even as a child we have to be reminded to say, "Thanks." You see the heart of man is not only deceitful, but it is also very selfish. We sometimes fell like what is given to us as a gift is something we deserve. A lack of thankfulness causes Adam and Eve to disobey God. Rather than being thankful for the whole garden and all the fruit they could eat, they out of a selfish spirit, concentrated on the fruit of the one tree God forbid them to eat from. We are reminded of the selfish spirit of man when we read of all the times God inspired the writers of the Scriptures to tell us to be thankful or to give thanks. Even our prayers are to be offered up "with thanksgiving." A powerful reminder of this is given to the Christians at Philippi when Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).
Paul begins this letter with, " 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Paul ends the letter with the joy of thanksgiving for the renewed concern of the Philippians for his needs. Listen to his grateful heart in these words, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:10-11; 14-18). In between this spirit of "thanks" you will find words like joy, peace, eagerness and rejoicing; throughout the book of Philippians. All of these motions come from a thankful heart.
A great quality that comes with spiritual maturity is the ability to say, "Thanks" Paul in receiving the gift of Salvation and the Hope of the Resurrection says in I Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Thankfully yours,
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