How many of you love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday? I know that it is my favorite holiday. In some ways, I feel that Thanksgiving is the most unsullied holiday that we celebrate in America. Largely, it has escaped the commercialism of so many other holidays.   

Thanksgiving is not a “have to have” holiday for our children. They don’t “have to have” a costume; they don’t “have to have” the latest technological wonder under the tree; they don’t “have to have” a basket full of eggs. At the most, maybe they “have to have” a certain kind of pie following dinner. How refreshing!  

I’d venture to guess that most families do take the time on Thanksgiving to verbalize gratitude – for a meal, for a home, for family members, and for warmth and shelter. It is the one time each year that we consciously reflect on and verbalize the blessings in our lives.  

What if we could treat our finances like we treat Thanksgiving? So often, you and I have a “have to have” mentality about our money. We “have to have” a 401k that’s growing. We “have to have” security for our kids’ future. We “have to have” a budget with some margin. We “have to have”…  

Let’s come to financial decisions from a place of gratitude rather than from a place of urgency. Let’s practice giving thanks when we have money to spend. Let’s also practice giving thanks for the lessons we learn when we don’t have excess. I know I’d like to begin from a place of thanksgiving in my finances more often. When I start there, the “have to have” of my financial decisions loses its grip, and I make my decisions with a better perspective.  

And as we move into the heavily materialistic season of Christmas and listen to the ever-uncertain economic news, let’s agree to start each day from a place of gratitude. Verbalizing gratitude is an amazing way to counteract the financial pressures that can come during this season.  

I pray you have a happy and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving. May God’s peace encourage you as you pursue biblical financial wisdom and depend on Him.