Are we ever like a child who at the end of a day kneels by his bed and says, "Thank You, God, for not letting Mom find the chocolate wrappers in my pocket. I'm glad I was able to have all the candy I could eat at Billy's today. Oh, and I almost forgot, thank You for not letting Dad miss the matches I took off his workbench. Amen."

A similar attitude sometimes characterizes us as Christians. That's why our Bible reading in Matthew 5 is so appropriate. Although the word thanksgiving doesn't appear in the verses, in this passage our Lord shows us what the good life is all about. Rather than emphasizing material success, Christ teaches that genuine happiness and prosperity begin in the heart.

How can we say thanks in a meaningful way? Try thanking God for the trials that caused you to recognize your spiritual needs (v.3), to mourn over sin (v.4), and to submit to God (v.5). Thank Him for the joys and sorrows that encouraged you to hunger after righteousness (v.6), to show mercy (v.7), to be pure in heart (v.8), or to be a peacemaker (v.9). Thank Him for whatever has helped you to develop the blessedness that reflects His plan for your well-being.

That's God's idea of thanksgiving.  — Mart De Haan