Gratitude doesn’t come from realizing we’ve got it better than some other poor chap. Gratitude comes from realizing that our Father delights to give to us His kingdom. And when we come to properly value the kingdom then we see the world as Asaph finally saw it. Steak is great, but if steak is all you’ve got (if steak is your kingdom) then some day it’s going to get maggots. And that’s true whether you’ve got the Banquet variety of animal product or a Ruth Criss steak.

The little boy is crying because he didn’t get the Christmas present he wants. The parent, not wanting to raise an ungrateful sod, reminds him off impoverished children just down the road who get nothing.

A little girl refuses to eat her food because it isn’t her favorite. She pushes the plate away and refuses to eat until she gets her favorite foods. The frazzled mom, not wanting to raise a spoiled brat, reminds her that there are malnourished children in Africa who

A single mom is crying in your office because she isn’t sure how she will be able to pay for that vacation she promised her kids. She can barely pay all her bills. She keeps trying to squirrel a little bit of money away to bless her kids but she just cannot seem to do it. She feels the weight of living paycheck to paycheck. Wanting to help her gain a little perspective you remind her that if she even has $5 to spare she is more wealthy than a large percentage of the world.

Read More