Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

As modern-day believers, sacrifices aren’t always a common topic of conversation. But today’s uncommon gratitude is offering God a sacrifice of thanks.

The Old Testament often describes animal sacrifices the Israelites made to God. In 2 Samuel 24, King David wanted to offer God a sacrifice on the land of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah wanted to give him everything he needed, but David refused to give God an offering that cost him nothing.

As people of the New Covenant under Christ, we don’t practice animal sacrifices. Christ’s death is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us, and He atoned for our sins once and for all.

Also, Hebrews 13 tells us that sacrifices of praise or “thank offerings” of spoken praise, doing good, and sharing what you have, are pleasing to God.

Maybe it’s preparing food for your family when you’re tired.

Handling inconveniences with patience and understanding.

Extending grace in inconsiderate conversations.

I don’t know what your day holds. But I know you’ll have opportunities to offer God expressions of gratitude that cost you something.

I’m reminded of an old story I heard once from Pastor Jack Hayford. I’m retelling it from memory, but the story goes something like this. Pastor Jack was visiting a church when they held a spontaneous offering. He pulled out his wallet and saw a five-dollar bill and a fifty-dollar bill inside. Knowing he was going out to dinner after the service, he put $5 in the offering basket when it passed by. Later that night he opened his wallet to pay for dinner and found only a five-dollar bill inside. At this point he said internally to God, “oh no, Lord, I meant to give $5, and I gave $50 instead.” To which God replied, “Don’t worry Jack, I knew your intent. I received it as $5.”

What a humorous and relatable illustration of how God looks at our hearts. The same gift can be a $5 or $50 offering depending on the intent of your heart. The same activity can be a typical response or become a sacred sacrifice of gratitude.

Decide in your heart to use praise-filled words, do good, and share what you have with vibrant and uncommon gratitude. In doing so, you partner with God as He cultivates your heart of thanks. The scent of your sacrificial thanksgiving pleases Him.

God, thank You for receiving thank offerings.