Be Rich, Give Thanks

Did you know that there are over 130 passages of Scripture that relate to the subject of thanksgiving? As we approach Thanksgiving Day 2018, I would like to share a story from my thanksgiving file about a man named Dr. Robert Hill. Dr. Hill was a prolific writer and authored dozens of books. While visiting Thailand, he was invited to a special celebration given by the King and Queen. A young Thai man was sent by the king to drive Dr. Hill and his wife to the festivities. During their journey, the young man asked Dr. Hill where he lived. “Richmond, Virginia,” he replied. “Oh, you are a rich man?” asked the young man. Dr. Hill laughed and told him, “No, he wasn’t rich.” As the conversation proceeded the young man asked Dr. Hill if he owned a car. “Yes,” he replied, “we have two cars in our family.” More questions followed. The young man wanted to know about Dr. Hill’s house. “It’s rather a simple house with ten rooms.” The young man was amazed. He and his family lived in just two small rooms. When asked about his family, Dr. Hill told him that he had four healthy children, two in college and two still at home. The young man was silent for a moment. Then he replied, “You ARE a rich man.” They laughed, but Dr. Hill knew the young man was right. “We were rich, but were we thankful?” It is often very easy to forget to be thankful. We can focus upon the wrong things and get sidetracked. We must remember that an attitude of thankfulness is God’s will for our lives everyday of the year, regardless of our circumstances. For God’s Word tells us, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18. We ARE rich in Him! Blessings, Dr. Joe