DAY TWO: PURPOSE OF THANKSGIVING
Speaker: Rev. Prof. Y. P. Mancha
Topic: What is Harvest Thanksgiving
Introduction/Recap:
Harvest Thanksgiving is more than just a tradition; it’s a heartfelt, freewill offering of thanks to God. This act of public praise and worship celebrates His grace and provision in our lives. When believers gather to offer thanks (Matthew 18:20), they acknowledge God’s hand in all things, expressing genuine gratitude for His blessings and sustenance.
Purpose of Harvest Thanksgiving
Harvest Thanksgiving serves several purposes, each rooted in acknowledging God’s goodness:
1. Expressing gratitude to God for His endless mercies and provision.
2. Recognizing Him as our provider, the true source of all we have.
3. Obeying His commands, as thanksgiving is an essential part of worship.
4. Honoring God with our resources, acknowledging Him through our giving.
5. Sharing with those in need, as a reflection of His care and compassion.
6. Fostering fellowship and communal celebration, strengthening our bond with one another.
7. Reflecting on God’s provision and His unfailing faithfulness.
8. Recommitting to care-giving, ensuring the well-being of humanity and creation.
9. Affirming our dependence on God, recognizing that we are sustained by Him alone.
10. Supporting charitable causes, allowing our gratitude to overflow into acts of love.
Requirements for Harvest Thanksgiving
A meaningful Harvest Thanksgiving calls for a giving spirit and joyful hearts:
1. Grateful hearts—approaching God with humility and thankfulness.
2. Offerings of first-fruits and tithes, sharing the best of what He has provided.
3. General thanksgiving gifts, which may include produce, finances, or personal talents.
4. Testimonies of God’s faithfulness, recounting His works in our lives.
5. Holy and obedient hearts, committed to living in His ways.
6. Songs of thanksgiving and special prayers, lifting up our voices to honor Him.
7. Joyful sharing in fellowship, gathering as a community in celebration.
8. Pure hearts, free of malice and bitterness, fostering unity.
9. Orderliness in all things, following the example of the diligent ants, who work together harmoniously.
Preparing for Harvest Thanksgiving
Proper preparation enhances the joy of thanksgiving:
1. Work diligently in our daily tasks, putting forth effort for a fruitful harvest.
2. Prepare our resources and hearts, ready to give with sincerity.
3. Offer the best we have, approaching God with reverence.
4. Leave portions for those in need (Leviticus 19:9-10), sharing from our abundance.
5. Use resources wisely, drawing from the example of the wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
Biblical Examples of Thanksgiving
Several scriptural examples to illustrate thanksgiving include:
A. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-5): Abel’s example reminds us to give from the heart.
B. The ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19): Only one returned to give thanks—a call for us to be grateful.
C. The widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44): Giving sacrificially, even from a place of humility.
D. The Macedonian Church (2 Corinthians 8:1-5): A powerful example of joyful, selfless giving.
E. Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:2-12): A profound expression of trust and obedience.
Furthermore, we should all be encouraged to embody the gratitude of elephants, who remember acts of kindness, while avoiding the bitterness often attributed to donkeys, who are known to hold grudges.
Conclusion
Harvest Thanksgiving is an invitation to live with grateful hearts, ready to give, share, and honor God with all that we have received. Let us celebrate this season joyfully, acknowledging God’s unwavering goodness and His abundant provision in our lives.
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