-> Will you help us Open a World of Opportunity?    
 Home > Articles > Timely Truths > "Thankfulness"   
ThankfulnessThankfulness
by Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer
Print This Article   Send it to a Friend

 
A good king in Spain known as Alfonso XIX learned that the boys who served in his court were forgetting to pray before their meals. So he decided to teach them a lesson. He gave a banquet and invited them to attend. Midway through the dinner, a ragged beggar came in, sat down, and began eating ravenously. When he was finished, he went out without saying a word. "That ungrateful wretch ought to be whipped," shouted the boys. "He ate the king's food and never showed gratitude."

Quietly, the king rose to his feet, and silence fell over the group. "Daily you have taken the rich blessings of life from the hand of your Heavenly Father," said the king. "You've enjoyed His sunshine, breathed His air, and eaten His food. All these things He has graciously provided, yet you have not bothered to say 'thank you' for any of them. You are more ungrateful than that beggar."

We accept them as commonplace.
Unfortunately, we often take for granted the blessings that God has so generously provided. Like the boys, we accept them as commonplace — dare say, we think they are deserved — rather than the special gifts of heaven's grace that they are. During this holiday season, we should carry the same attitude as the Psalmist who wrote, "Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever. That is what those whom the Lord has saved should say." (Psalm 107:1-2a NCV)

As you finish your Thanksgiving leftovers with family and friends, don't forget to take the time to be grateful to the King for what He has given to you.

 
Share Related
Print This ArticlePrint this Article

Send it to a FriendSend it to a Friend

Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.
Search

      © 2005 Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer.

      Title: "Thankfulness"
      Author: Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer
      Publication Date: November 25, 2005

 
Timely Truths
 
 
Hundreds more articles
like this are in the
ARTICLE ARCHIVE
...or search to find an article by keywords:

  Visit our Sponsors

Heartlight only exists because of your support! Click above to visit a sponsor, or donate to join us in our ministry.

   
May we suggest...
WOW Hits 2006
by Various Artists
WOW Hits 2006They're here---all the chart-topping radio hits by your favorite Christian artists! Two CD boxed set.

  Find More Books & Music:
Christianbook.com

RSS Feed of All Heartlight ArticlesAll Heartlight Articles

'Timely Truths' RSS FeedTimely Truths

RSS Feed of Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer's ArticlesAuthor Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer

More Heartlight Feeds

Subscribe
Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day!
Daily Heartlight
Today's Verse
What Jesus Did!
Quotemeal

More Information

 

 

RSS Feeds  |  Advertising  |  Support Heartlight   |   Help  |  Contact Us  
HOME     topTOP HEARTLIGHT® Magazine is produced by Heartlight, Inc. HEARTLIGHT is a registered service mark of Heartlight, Inc. PO Box 7044, Abilene, TX, USA 79608-7044. Copyright © 1996-2008. Heartlight is supported by Westover Hills Church, Southern Hills Church, and loving Christians from around the world. Scripture quotations are taken from the Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. Used by permission. All rights reserved.