They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
“Give thanks this way:
We thank you, holy Father, for your holy name which you enshrined in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality that you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To
you be the glory forever.
You, Master Almighty, have created all things for your name’s sake. You gave food and drink to all people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Jesus, your servant. Before all things we thank you because you are mighty. To you be the glory forever.
Remember, Lord, your church. Deliver it from all evil and make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For Yours is the power and the glory forever.
Let grace come, and let this world pass away!”
The Didache, or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 10:1-6, translated by Anthony H. Jones (Brewster: Paraclete Press, 2009).
Luke writes in today’s Scripture that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.” He continues that their actions flowed from “glad and sincere hearts.”
So how did they cultivate gratitude in their hearts? It’s a good question. Thankfully we have ancient evidence that offers us a clue. It can help us cultivate gratitude in our hearts as well.
We start the year by reading an excerpt from The Didache, or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Many modern scholars call it the early church discipleship manual.
As we start the year exploring the idea of “gratitude” we find that each time they gathered, when they broke bread in communion, they read these words. And notice what surfaces in the heart of this section: gratitude.
“You gave food and drink to all people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Jesus, your servant. Before all things we thank you…”
Cultivating thankful hearts starts with acknowledging that God gave to us that we might return thanks to Him. He has given material and spiritual blessings freely, so before all things we thank Him and ask for His grace to come.
This runs contrary to worldly thinking which says something like this: “I got what I possess from my hard work. I earned it. It’s mine. And so I am entitled to do with it as I please.” Let’s chose a different path to start 2023.
With the early church we pray. “Remember, Lord, your church. Deliver it from all evil and make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it.”
As we start the year with hearts filled with gratitude, may we unleash rich generosity in the four corners of the earth. And may it draw many into the church. It’s happening right now in Malawi through Palmful of Maize.
Father in Heaven, thanks for giving us so many material and spiritual blessings. By Your Holy Spirit, teach us to enjoy and share them with grateful hearts. Make it so by Your grace in 2023 we ask in Jesus name. Amen.