Topical Encyclopedia Thankfulness, as a fundamental aspect of Christian living, is deeply rooted in the practice of expressing gratitude to God for His provisions. One of the most common and significant occasions for offering thankfulness is before receiving food. This practice is not only a tradition but a biblical mandate that reflects a heart of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's providence.The act of giving thanks before meals is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, during the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus demonstrates this practice: "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people" (Matthew 14:19). Here, Jesus models the importance of blessing and giving thanks for the food provided, recognizing it as a gift from God. Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke, at the Last Supper, Jesus again gives thanks before sharing the meal with His disciples: "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me'" (Luke 22:19). This act of thanksgiving is not only a ritual but a profound expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision and grace. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of thankfulness in the context of meals. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes, "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Paul underscores that receiving food with thanksgiving is an act of sanctification, setting apart the meal as a blessing from God. Furthermore, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the issue of eating food offered to idols, stating, "If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?" (1 Corinthians 10:30). Here, Paul highlights that the act of giving thanks transforms the meal into an occasion of worship and gratitude, regardless of its origins. The practice of offering thankfulness before meals is a tangible expression of the believer's dependence on God and recognition of His continuous provision. It serves as a reminder of the daily blessings received and the importance of maintaining a heart of gratitude in all circumstances. Through this practice, Christians align themselves with the biblical tradition of acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness in providing for their needs. Nave's Topical Index John 6:11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. Nave's Topical Index Acts 27:35 Library Christ's Birth Homilies on the Statues. Some More Particular Directions for Maintaining Continual ... From his Return to England in 1824, to the Commencement of his ... The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr 1872 the Need of a Home Further West --Burning of the Marchmont ... Completion Op the Fifth Continental Journey. Summa Theologica Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times The Inwardness of Prayer Resources What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude? | GotQuestions.orgWhy doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about ingratitude/unthankfulness? | GotQuestions.org Thankfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Thankfulness of Hypocrites, Full of Boasting Thankfulness: Abound in the Faith With Thankfulness: Come Before God With Thankfulness: Expressed in Psalms Thankfulness: Habitually offer Thankfulness: Jesus Set an Example of Thankfulness: Ministers Appointed to offer, in Public Thankfulness: Offer Sacrifices of Thankfulness: Resolve to offer Thankfulness: Saints Exhorted To Thankfulness: Saul, to the Kenites Thankfulness: should Always Accompany Praise Thankfulness: should Always Accompany Prayer Thankfulness: should be Accompanied by Intercession for Others Thankfulness: should be offered for all People Thankfulness: should be offered for all Things Thankfulness: should be offered for Appointment to Spiritual Service Thankfulness: should be offered for Christ's Power and Reign Thankfulness: should be offered for Deliverance from Indwelling Sin, Through Christ Thankfulness: should be offered for Faith Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for Love Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Conversion of Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Gift of Christ Thankfulness: should be offered for the Goodness and Mercy of God Thankfulness: should be offered for the Grace Bestowed on Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Nearness of God's Presence Thankfulness: should be offered for the Reception and Effectual Working of the Word of God in Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Supply of Our Bodily Needs Thankfulness: should be offered for the Triumph of the Gospel Thankfulness: should be offered for the Zeal Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for Victory Over Death and the Grave Thankfulness: should be offered for Willingness to offer Our Property for God's Service Thankfulness: should be offered for Wisdom and Might Thankfulness: should be offered in Everything Thankfulness: should be offered in Private Worship Thankfulness: should be offered in Public Worship Thankfulness: should be offered in the Name of Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: Always Thankfulness: should be offered: As the Remembrance of God's Holiness Thankfulness: should be offered: Before Receiving Food Thankfulness: should be offered: On Behalf of God's Servants Thankfulness: should be offered: Through Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: To Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: To God Thankfulness: should be offered: Upon the Completion of Great Undertakings Thankfulness: should Enter God's Gates With Thankfulness: The Heavenly Host Engage In Thankfulness: The Israelites, to Joshua Thankfulness: The People of the Island of Melita (Malta), to Paul Thankfulness: The Spies, to Rahab Thankfulness: The Wicked Averse To Thankfulness: To God of Abraham Thankfulness: To God of Abraham's Servant (Eliezar) Thankfulness: To God of Deborah Thankfulness: To God of Hannah Thankfulness: To God of Jehoshaphat's Army Thankfulness: To God of Jethro Thankfulness: To God of Joseph Thankfulness: To God of Melchizedek Thankfulness: To God of Miriam Thankfulness: To God of Rachel Thankfulness: To God of Samuel Thankfulness: To God of the Jews Thankfulness: To God of the Levites Thankfulness: To God of the People of Israel Thankfulness: To God of the Queen of Sheba Thankfulness: To God of the Sailors Thankfulness: To God of the Shepherds Thankfulness: To God: Before Receiving Food, by Jesus Thankfulness: To God: Blind Bartimaeus Thankfulness: To God: One of the Ten Lepers Whom Jesus Healed Thankfulness: To God: The Demon-Possessed Man Who Was Exorcized Thankfulness: To God: The Lame Man Healed by Peter Thankfulness: To God: The Man Who Was Paralyzed Thankfulness: To God: The Roman Centurion for his Boy Thankfulness: To God: The Woman Who Was Bent Over for Eighteen Years Thankfulness: To the Men of Jabesh-Gilead Related Terms |