When you sacrifice a thank offering to the LORD,
sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.
Leviticus 22:29
This month’s Write the WORD is devoted to THANKS.
A “thank offering” that we find in scripture is a type of fellowship offering. My research reveals that these offerings were made as a grateful expression of thanks for:
- Trouble averted – sickness, death, etc.
- Blessings received
When a sacrifice was made in Old Testament times, blood was involved. An animal had to die. As the animal was slaughtered, surely the thought would come, “I am here to honor God because He has blessed me — either taken away the bad or provided the good — and an animal has to die for me to be blessed.”
As that thought works its way into the heart and mind, the realization comes that every good gift comes from God. The ultimate gift is His Son, Jesus. Jesus had to die to take away the bad (our sin) and to provide the good (eternal life later and blessing upon blessing now).
Leviticus 22:29-30 reveals the thank offering was to be eaten the same day – none was to be left until morning. We may not call it a Fellowship Offering, but we certainly do celebrate with food: anniversaries, birthdays, end-of-sports-season, and holiday dinners. As the holidays approach and we begin to plan Thanksgiving dinner, let’s not overlook the giving of thanks part of the holiday.
Though we won’t be slaughtering an animal to present at the Temple, let’s choose to intentionally offer up thanks to God for our own trouble averted and blessings received during 2019. Let’s acknowledge and praise Him as the deliverer and the provider of it all.
As the thanks in our heart are shared on our tongue, they make an impact. A declaration is made for others to hear. And if your Thanksgiving dinner table — or family wiener roast or sports team ice cream party — includes those who do not know or acknowledge God, then your words of praise are a sacrifice to Him. You share that praise, take that risk, and honor the One who provided every good gift.
Let’s make that sacrifice of praise this year!
Write The Word: Giving Thanks — Standard Bookmark
Write The Word: Giving Thanks — Large Print Bookmark
Write The Word: Giving Thanks — S.O.A.P. Study Pages
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