Just A Simple Thank You

Just A Simple Thank You

Scripture:
Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Devotional:

Have you ever done something nice for someone?  Have you gone out of your way for someone?  Only to have them ignore you and not even acknowledge your good deed.  There have been times when someone is trying to pull out onto a street.  Only they are having trouble getting out because of traffic.  I let them in and they race off without even a nod from them.  There have been times I would open or hold a door for someone only to have them whip past without even looking toward me.  It is as if they don’t look at me I don’t exist.  Most of the time though when I hold open a door I get a smile and a word of thanks.

If doing for others is only for acknowledgement or to receive thanks I think we missed the boat.  One out of ten people returned to Jesus to give Him thanks.  Jesus healed knowing only one would return.  Jesus didn’t heal the men so that they would all come back to give Him thanks. 

What is our focus?  Are our tasks motivated on praise or thanks back to us?  Is the focus on us?  Instead our focus should be on others.  We should focus on God and what pleases Him not our own gratification.  Getting a thank you is nice, but shouldn’t be why we do something.

Next time don’t get upset if you do not receive a thank you.  Just know you did it for God.  Also when someone does something for you don’t forgive to give thanks.  You are not only giving them thanks but you are thanking God.

So thank you God for all you have done and given.