{"id":7707,"date":"2011-11-23T13:00:07","date_gmt":"2011-11-23T18:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=7707"},"modified":"2025-09-02T17:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T21:02:14","slug":"thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/thanksgiving.htm","title":{"rendered":"“Thanksgiving” in the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Thanksgiving<\/p>\n

The Bible uses the word “thanksgiving” only 25 times (in the NIV), although you will find many other instances with the base word “thank.”<\/p>\n

How the Bible Refers to Thanksgiving<\/h2>\n

Below is a recap of the 25 uses of the word “thanksgiving” with the Scripture references provided:<\/p>\n

In the Bible “thanksgiving” is not about a meal with all the trimmings in which we indulge, although there was a “fellowship offering of thanksgiving” (Lev. 7:13,15) in the Old Testament and a “cup of thanksgiving” in the New Testament of Jesus’ blood shed on our behalf. (1 Cor. 10:16)<\/span><\/p>\n

“Thanksgiving,” in the Bible, is not a holiday celebration, although joyful singing, shouting, and praising God accompanies it. (Ezra 3:11; Neh. 11:17; 12:8; 12:24, 27, 46; Ps. 42:4; 69:30; 95:2; 147:7; Isa. 51:3; Jer. 30:19; Jonah 2:9)<\/span><\/p>\n

The biblical use of “thanksgiving” is not a once a year occurrence but rather a regular expression of praise to God, a way of life. (Eph. 5:4; Phil. 4:6)<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Bible “thanksgiving” is not merely sitting around saying what you are thankful for but also being used by God to cause others to overflow in thanksgiving.\u00a0 (1 Cor. 14:16; 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:11)<\/span><\/p>\n

Nor does the Bible describe “thanksgiving” as mere expressions of thanks for what or who you are glad for but rather is to be made for everyone and everything.\u00a0 (1 Tim. 2:1; 4:3-4)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible does not describe “thanksgiving” as a time to get together with family and friends but even better an opportunity to go into the presence of the Almighty God.\u00a0 (Ps. 95:2; 100:4)<\/span><\/p>\n

The holiday rendition of “Thanksgiving”<\/a> has merit but falls short of the biblical use of the word.\u00a0 Let’s remember to give thanks at all times (Eph. 5:20) and in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18).\u00a0 And let’s remember to top the list of that for which we are grateful with Jesus.\u00a0 — “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)<\/span><\/p>\n

How interesting that the Greek word for “thanksgiving” is “eucharistia” from which we get the word “eucharist” which is used of communion wherein the bread and wine remind us of that indescribable gift.<\/p>\n

To help you, or those in your sphere of ministry, reflect on Thanksgiving beyond this once a year, one-day holiday, check out the Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides<\/a>. (This resource includes guides for thirteen other holidays.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Bible uses the word “thanksgiving” only 25 times (in the NIV), although you will find many other instances with the base word “thank.” Below is a recap of the 25 uses with the Scripture references provided. . . . Continue reading “Thanksgiving” in the Bible<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-love-mercy-grace","category-thanksgiving"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t