When was the last time you thanked God for the people He has brought into your life? Try it sometime. You will be astounded at the number of people for who you can give thanks. Start with your immediate family and move on to your extended family. (You may find yourself wanting to qualify your thanks about certain family members. Instead, think of something good the person has done or said, and thank God.) After acknowledging your extended family, think about the people who have influenced you – such as teachers, mentors, or pastors. Think about the people in your neighborhood who have done kind deeds, old classmates, friends in your Bible study group, and people who serve you.

When we, like Joshua, pause to appreciate the people who enrich our lives, we affirm the value who enrich our lives, affirm the value of each individual, and bless God and them.

Thank God for the people in your life.

Make a list of people for who you feel grateful.

Cite one specific thing you appreciate about each person, and thank God for that individual.

Ask God to help you truly see and appreciate the people in your life.

Take time to reflect:

When we pause to thank God for His gifts, how does that deepen our relationship with Him?

How does gratitude affect how we see and treat others?

Consider these passages for further study on Thanksgiving:

Psalm 50:23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me, And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

Ephesians 1:16-18 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

I Timothy 2:1  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—

I am grateful for my family and Gary Chapman who gave me these ideas. There are many gratitude challenges, so find one that resonates with you and continue to do this as a routine and habit. It’s amazing how our lives change when we focus on what we are grateful for.

An ancient Hebrew proverb says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

The apostle Paul affirmed that concept in the New Testament. To the Christians living in Philippi who had sent him money for his ministry, he wrote, “The gifts you sent… are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:18-19).

Clearly, our giving is important to God because it is a true reflection of our gratitude to Him and our love for people. The question is not whether we will give. The question is how much shall we give and to whom shall we give it?

Take time to pray and think about the things God has given you. Make a list, if it helps. Be as comprehensive as possible. Include everything from family to health. Bring each item to God in prayer, thanking Him again and again for His incredible generosity.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

What are the “best parts” of your life that you give to God (for example, your money, time, and attention)? What are the parts that you withhold?

If giving is a true reflection of your gratitude to God, how much gratitude are you showing?

What changes do you need to make in your giving attitudes and practices?

Consider these passages for further study on Giving:

Proverbs 12:24-25

Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.^(A)

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,^(B)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

James 1:17-18 ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Reflect and evaluate if you are giving your best. Learn who are good examples to model. Share how you are putting your best parts of yourself to others.