By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
Living in Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:12–22
Several years ago my sister was studying for a year in England and my parents offered to pay for the family to visit her for Christmas.
As my wife and I were newly married (and giving new meaning to the words “poverty stricken”) we jumped at the opportunity.
Unfortunately our trip turned out to be a roving comedy of errors.
We nearly froze to death in an icy bed and breakfast in Manchester. A traffic jam caused us to miss a train and left us with nothing but standing room only “seats” for a later departure. My brother and I risked daily injury carrying the luggage our beloved mother had brought.
We arrived in London too late on Christmas Eve to buy groceries and had to make do with leftover croissants and powdered soup packets for our Christmas dinner.
At every turn just about everything that could go wrong did. And yet we all look back on that vacation as the best our family ever had.
The reason we all look back so fondly on our trip to England is not hard to find.
Despite all of the misadventures we experienced each and every member of the family maintained a great attitude. We were all grateful to be enjoying the trip of a lifetime so we were able to dust ourselves off after each fall and even look back and laugh over everything that happened.
What was true of our family trip to England is true of almost every group experience.
It isn’t the weather or the itinerary or the food that makes for an enjoyable trip; it is the attitude of people who are traveling.
It isn’t comfy pews or nice new carpet that makes for a vibrant church; it is the attitude of the people who make up that church.
Express gratitude toward those who encourage you in your walk in Christ. (12–13)
In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica the Apostle Paul offers a series of instructions.
These instructions are intended to help the Thessalonian believers foster a generous attitude in their congregation.
At the heart of these instructions is Paul’s admonition that his readers be a grateful people (see v. 18).
Gratitude underlies Paul’s encouragement in this passage to show respect and esteem to those who lead the church.
Paul reminds his readers that those who lead the church “labor among you” and should be esteemed “because of their work.”
A grateful heart will recognize the hard work church leaders do and will respond with thanks and a commitment to living peaceably with others.
Encourage others in their walk with Christ. (14–15)
A grateful heart will also work to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Paul recognizes encouragement is not a “one size fits all” endeavor.
Because we meet each person at a different place in his or her own walk, each person needs a different kind of encouragement.
Some are idle when they ought to be making progress. For these Paul urges admonishment. Some are worn out from the journey and fainthearted. For these Paul urges a kind word. Some are too weak to go on. For these Paul urges a helping hand. For everyone Paul urges patience.
Express your thanks to God. (16–22)
As Paul begins to draw his letter to the Thessalonians to a close he leaves them with a roster of brief but important instructions.
Each one centers on the idea of showing gratitude to God. Rejoice always, Paul insists, and pray without ceasing.
Give thanks in all circumstances and always be open to the direction of God’s Spirit.
A body of believers guided by these instructions is a body of believers whose spirit of gratitude will be evident to all.
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