As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I want to direct our attention to the object of our gratitude. Too often our minds are focused on the benefits and gifts and far too often we neglect the Giver. John Piper in his book, A Godward Life, takes the reader back to Jonathan Edwards to teach us about true gratitude and thanksgiving. Gleaning from Edward’s writings in Religious Affections, Piper says:

“And God is not glorified if the foundation of our gratitude is the worth of the gift and not the excellency of the Giver. If gratitude is not rooted in the beauty of God before the gift, it is probably disguised idolatry. May God grant us a heart to delight in him for who he is so that all our gratitude for his gifts will be the echo of our joy in the excellency of the Giver!”

Link here to read the entire entry by Piper. May our hearts and minds be consumed with the divine Giver.