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Leviticus 7:11-15, These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord: “‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.  Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast.  They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the Lord; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar. The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning.

Besides the various burnt offerings that were given to atone for sin, the Israelites had the opportunity to give a thanksgiving offering as well.  This was truly for the benefit of the giver; it was a tangible sign of gratitude for God's mercies.  We can give God thanks with our words, but there is something really significant about giving sacrificially as a form of thanksgiving.

What might a modern-day thanksgiving offering look like?  Certainly, our tithe to the church is an act of obedience but it is also given as an act of thanksgiving for all that God has given us.  I've known of people who give large financial gifts to mission and ministry partners because they are so very grateful for how God has blessed them.  We also can't dismiss the gift of time.  When we regularly dedicate our time to serving God's church and God's people, this might also be considered a thanksgiving offering. 

Do you make it a regular practice to thank God for all he does for you?  What kinds of special thanksgiving offerings have you participated in?  How have these offerings changed your life?

Let's pray...God, we give you thanks and praise.  All we have is a gift from you - our lives, our jobs, our families, our homes.  We are grateful, God, for how you continually pour your blessings into our lives.  You are such a good God.  Help us be even but a small reflection of your amazing generosity. We love you.  Amen.