What the Bible says
Scripture calls for thanks in every situation. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul goes further: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). This is not thanks for evil itself, but thanks to the God who rules over all things and works in them for His people. Thanks is the believer’s way of living in Christ.
Thankfulness begins with remembering. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Forgetting is the road away from God. Paul says of those who turned from Him, “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful” (Romans 1:21). Ten lepers were healed, but only one came back, and Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). The thankful heart returns to Jesus.
Every good thing comes from God, and the greatest gift is His Son. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). That gift is beyond words: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And again, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The cross is the deepest reason a Christian gives thanks.
Thanks is an offering we bring to God. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). It goes with prayer, for requests are made “with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6). It goes with peace: “let the peace of God rule in your hearts … and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). And it marks a growing faith, “abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7).
14 verses, King James Version
Hebrews 13:15
The sacrifice of praise
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Colossians 3:15
Let peace rule, and be thankful
15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 2:6–7
Abounding with thanksgiving
6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Psalms 136:1
His mercy endureth for ever
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 100:4–5
Enter with thanksgiving
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Thankful in everything
16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Psalms 103:1–5
Forget none of His benefits
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalms 107:1
His mercy lasts forever
1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
James 1:17
Every good thing comes from God
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Ephesians 5:20
Thanks always, in Jesus’ name
20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Colossians 3:17
Do everything with thanks
17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Luke 17:15–19
The one who came back to thank Jesus
15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks for God’s greatest gift
15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Psalms 9:1–2
Tell of all His wonders
1I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Read aloud by Anthony.