Combat materialism with thanksgiving

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 8:10-18 Praise the Lord for his goodness

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. ¹¹ Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. ¹² Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, ¹³ and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, ¹⁴ then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹⁵ He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. ¹⁶ He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. ¹⁷ You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." ¹⁸ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 17-19 Christ offers contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. … ¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19 All ten are grateful, only one returns thanks

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Combat materialism with thanksgiving

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, then loafing around on the sofa watching football with the extended family. A great Thanksgiving tradition. Tomorrow evening, though, begins a new tradition. Many retail stores are opening their doors at 8 or 9 in the evening. So now we not only have Cyber Monday and Black Friday, but we now have Gray Thursday to contend with.

Don’t misunderstand. It is not a sin to shop online. It’s not a sin to stand in line for Black Friday deals. It’s not even a sin to get out of the house for a while after food, football and family. However, as Thanksgiving Christians, we understand the danger of all of these shopping days encroaching on our family and religious holidays. The danger is materialism. That we just want more stuff. Older people already have their homes filled with knick-knacks and toys from their youth. Yound adults still want the latest, biggest and cheapest gadgets and gizmos. Children want even more toys and electronic games. That’s why we need the Psalmist’s warning: “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10).

When we have all of this “stuff,” it reminds us that God has blessed us tremendously here in America. But trouble arises when we enjoy all this prosperity and then forget the God who gave it all to us. We consume without giving thanks. We squander and don’t save. We spend money on gifts and gadgets without giving a proportional amount to be spent on God’s Kingdom work.

That’s why being in worship this evening is so important. We get to hear God speaking to us through His prophet, Moses, His apostle, Paul and through His Son, Jesus. Each of these Bible lessons has important life lessons to teach us this Thanksgiving.

“The Church lives in thanksgiving” wrote Orthodox Christian priest and author, Alexander Schmemann. “It is the air she breathes.” Which means that the Church lives from the abundance of Gods’ gifts showering down around her. Unlike the world that is blind to these gifts, we as members of the Christian Church see these gifts, celebrate them, and rejoice in them. What a God we have! Stroll through our stores, look around your home, drive around our nation – we have a God whose giving staggers the imagination. And so our perpetual thanksgiving will merely be the confession of God’s perpetual divine giving.

Moses leads the way in tonight’s first Scripture lesson with the reminder to the Israelites of God’s provision for their journey. The Lord always leads His people from here to there. But along the way, He teaches them that their life isn’t sustained by bread alone, by the earthly goodies He delights to give them. Rather, they live instead from every Word that He speaks to them. His Word, after all, is the cause of all the goodies of the creation they delight in. And He has commanded the creation to provide sustenance for this earthly journey - and even when things got a bit more settled for the Israelites, as they are for us, a good land with rivers, lakes, trees, hills, valleys, wheat, barley, cabbage, corn, and other crops. Though our nation presently has great debt, there is also potential for great wealth among its citizens.

But we, like the Israelites of old, should not ever boast that we are “self-made” men and women who take credit for our great personal success. God is the One who provides us with our daily manna, maybe not miraculously by raining down white bread from the sky, but certainly by giving us the ability to work and have a job. Sometimes, when recession, job loss or poor health hits our homes, it is a gentle reminder that we should never become too comfortable here in our home or nation. Moses warns that we, like the Israelites, are still a people on a pilgrimage. This is not our home. We are on a journey to the Promised Land. So, remember to bless the Lord for the good land He has given you here, as you also thank Him on your journey to the better land that is coming.  

In order to combat the materialism that so easily overtakes even the strongest of us, we need to constantly and consistently thank God for His good and gracious gifts. We thank God for our First Article gifts from Martin Luther’s explanation of the Apostles’ Creed: We thank God that He provides clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, cattle and all I own.

St. Paul teaches us in our second lesson that godliness coupled with contentment is of great gain. Life is often like a yo-yo. Joy, depression; wealth, job loss; health, doctor visits; peace, threats of war. But in the yo-yo of life, Paul teaches us that it is essential to be flexible. Paul had taught the Philippians, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). Paul wasn’t ticked off because he was on the street, sleeping under a bridge with a growling stomach. Neither was he uneasy in the penthouse, enjoying delicious meals in abundance. When without, that was God’s will, so he didn’t grumble. And when blessed, that was God’s will, too, so he didn’t act unworthy and ashamed. When we are mature in our Christian faith, we can handle both the ups and downs of life without disturbing our spiritual or emotional equilibrium.

Paul then encourages us to lay up treasures for ourselves for the coming age. Then we will truly have life. What are these treasures that give us life now and for the life to come? The treasure that we celebrate during Advent and Christmas is that the eternal Son of God in human flesh is laid in a manger. The treasure that we celebrate during Lent is that the Son of Man shouldered our sin on Calvary’s tree and wiped it out with His own divine blood. The treasure that we celebrate at Easter is that the Son of God ripped a hole right through death, thus transforming it into a peaceful sleep for Christians.

In order to combat the materialism that so easily overtakes us, we need to constantly and consistently thank God for His good and gracious gifts. We thank God for our Second Article gifts: We thank God that He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sin, from death and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.

Our Gospel lesson about the forgetful lepers challenges us with how easy it is to fall into the ways of unbelief. That is to measure the gifts and to say to God: “Fill it up right to that line. Yes, very good. That’s enough. That will do. Don’t need any more, thank you very much.” So the nine went off with the little healing, no doubt quite grateful to the end of their days to the Rabbi who had miraculously healed them. But the Rabbi stood there asking: “Where are the nine?” He had more gifts to give! But no one came back for the rest, to give glory to God except the foreigner. The foreigner, the Samaritan, he comes back for more and gets it: “Your faith has saved you.” The Lord always has more. That’s His way. He has more for you than you can ever imagine. Gifts abounding. So never walk away from Him and say: “I’ve had enough.” I was baptized, what do I need to read the Word for? I’ve received Absolution, why do I need to receive Communion? I’ve been to Church once this week, why do I need to go to all of these special, extra worship services?” With our words and our actions, we are quite guilty of telling our Lord all too often, “That’s enough.” But that’s unbelief. That’s cutting ourselves off from our good and gracious God.

The way of faith, instead, is to return early and often to glorify God for what He has given us. Then you will find that He always has even more to give, and that leads to even more thanksgiving from you. God blesses. You receive. You give thanks. God blesses. He wants it to be an endless and enduring cycle and the very joy of your life. He wishes to give you nothing but Himself, His Word, His salvation, His forgiveness.

In order to combat the materialism that so easily overtakes us, we need to constantly and consistently thank God for His good and gracious gifts. We thank God for our Third Article gifts: We thank the Holy Spirit that he has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

So, whether you are shopping online, standing in line or taking your turkey to go, please remember to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving always combats materialism. Thank Him for your First Article physical blessings. Thank Him for your Second Article blessings of salvation. And thank Him for your Third Article spiritual blessings of faith.

As you gather around the table tomorrow, with some of His gifts before you, others of His gifts around you, and the greatest of His gifts within you – lift your voice and glorify the God who gives – then you will know the joy of the Church’s very life. She lives in thanksgiving. It is the air she breathes. Amen.

Prayer of the Church
Thanksgiving Day

Lord God, our Maker, You clothe the field with Your abundance and crown the year with Your bounty. Today we sing Your praise, giving thanks for all that You provide: clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, family and friends, work and play and opportunity for service and sacrifice. Help us always to recognize Your great goodness and to give You thanks.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and for life everlasting. Continue to gather and sanctify Your Church so that Your saints may be called to trust in Jesus Christ alone, strengthened in the true Christian faith, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and encouraged toward joy in service to others.

Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for being our Savior—for taking on our flesh and blood and teaching us the way of the Father, for suffering death on the cross for our sin, and for rising again and ascending to rule over all creation until You come again. Guide us into all truth, lead us along the narrow path, and keep us steadfast until You come in glory to take us home.

Holy Spirit, we give You thanks for giving us faith and keeping us in that faith until the Last Day when all who believe in Jesus will enter the heavenly mansions prepared for them. Help us to be watchful and ready for His coming, steadfast and sanctified in the true faith, and truly prepared for the final judgment.

Lord of the nations, rule and guide the nations of this world. Prevent all who plan evil and destruction. Restore those who are oppressed and mistreated. Bring justice and peace everywhere. Especially do we pray for these United States that You would make it a land of opportunity, with liberty and justice for all.

Merciful Father, take into Your tender arms all who are sick and all who mourn (especially ____________). Give healing to them according to Your will, and comfort them both with Your presence and with Your promise of eternal life. Grant a special measure of strength to the members of our armed forces who have been wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and comfort the families of those who have been killed in combat. Bless as well the efforts of military chaplains that they may proclaim the comforting message of life and hope in Your Son Jesus Christ to all those in need.

Gracious Lord, provide for those who lack the basic necessities of life—the starving, the homeless, the orphaned and the refugee. Help us to share our abundance, responding to all who seek our aid.

Almighty God, for Your goodness we give You thanks, for Your mercy we praise You, and for Your caring ways we magnify Your holy name, asking for all that we need through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.