Thanksgiving is defined as "the act of giving thanks." Of course much of our thanksgiving is centered around the idea of thankfulness rather than the action of giving. Yet, the key to being thankful is our also being willing to give something of ourselves. Giving is the result of a heart that gives up self to serve others. In a world that’s generally dominated by the action of selfishly taking and gaining, being able to give sometimes is a rare commodity. The late Henry Ford said, "Success is not rare. It is common. Very few miss a measure of it. It is not a matter of luck or a matter of contesting, for certainly no success can come from preventing the success of another. It is a matter of adjusting one’s efforts to overcome obstacles, and adjusting one’s abilities to give the service needed by others. There’s no other possible success. Most people think of it in terms of getting; success however, begins in terms of giving."

In the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), Jesus illustrated the views held by all the men who were involved. The nameless robbers considered what the traveler had as belonging to them, so they took it! The priest and Levite passed by without helping this man because they believed what they had belonged to them. When the Samaritan approached, he found a man in need and "came to him, bound up his wounds, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and at his own expense had him cared for." [verses 33-35]. This Samaritan thought what he had should be shared.

What must be concluded is that giving requires action on our part, and thanksgiving cannot begin without our being willing to give of ourselves. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Jesus gave the ultimate gift - - his life.

If you have been blessed, then you must give to others. The writer of the epistle of James emphasizes giving by grouping together "faith" and "works." (James 2). The inspired writer John emphasizes the necessity in our willing to share with others as a demonstration of having "the love of God" in us. (1 John 3:17). And, the inspired writer Paul tells us to follow the example of our Savior, who considered the good of others above the immediate good of himself. (Philippians 2:1-5).

Is this difficult to do? Yes! In most instances. But, it’s not impossible. And, what makes it possible is our truly being thankful to God for all the good he has brought to our lives. With this as our attitude, and our working to fill our hearts with the love of God, the sacrificial helpfulness the good Samaritan felt in his heart and demonstrated by his actions is but a foreshadow of what kind of person we are becoming. What God has blessed us with must be shared.