People who have an abundance often have difficulty expressing thanksgiving. So do people who have very little. Thanksgiving and gratitude are difficult for fallen human beings.

How, therefore, can we get beyond our own selfishness and move to the kinds of gratitude God wants us to have?

First, ask God to give you an attitude that desires thankfulness toward God and appreciation for other people and their needs.

Paul’s letters all emphasize thanksgiving. For Paul. thanksgiving was a mark of Christian maturity. Since thanksgiving is commanded and emphasized and since it shows in a very tangible way our growth in Godliness, we obviously need to ask God to change us.

I believe that prayer changes things, and the greatest thing it changes is us.

Second, make deliberate efforts to share this world’s goods with people who are in need. As Jesus said, the poor are always with you and you will have the opportunity to share in their needs. We, therefore, need to take that opportunity.

When we bless others in their needs, we actually become more aware of our blessings.

Third, make plans to specifically thank someone for what they do for you. This could be in your family, your workplace, your church, or to someone who checks out groceries or delivers mail. I encourage you to make this very personal. Tell them how much they help you and how much you personally appreciate them and what they do.

Practice makes perfect. Therefore, practice expressing thanks.

You’ll be glad you did, and you will please God.