A THANKSGIVING THOUGHT

As we approach Thanksgiving 2025, Michael Gott has selected a true-to-life illustration to not only instruct us with a very Biblically-based insight, but to help us see how we can all live with authentic freedom from material things controlling, as they do many lives. He chose the vivid story to encourage all of us to a humble spirit and to live lives fully devoted to Jesus.

And with the current torrent of advertisements for turning the holiday away from one of gratitude toward God, his guidance on what matters in life constitutes a genuine spirituality.  It’s a message that all of us need to think about implementing as Thanksgiving comes.

Ours is a world that does its best to deceive us into believing that everything is the result of human achievement.  Michael Gott encourages us to think and thank.  He said in a recent message, “I’ll tell you what we all need to do—just stop and think seriously about life, and if we will only think, we will thank!  We are privileged to be blessed by God.  That has never been any more evident, yet it’s often forgotten.”

MGI Offices

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IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD

There was once a bold and courageous preacher named Edwin Hughes.  Later in life, he was promoted to the position of bishop.  But as a young man with the temperament of a prophet, he preached a controversial sermon on “It All Belongs to God.”  The sermon deeply offended the rich and materialistic people who heard it.  Some even avoided an encounter with him after the message because they were so upset by the message.

The next week he was invited to the home of a most wealthy man, who showed off all his wealth.  As they stood on the veranda looking across his vast property, he said, “Now, tell me this is not mine and does not belong to me.  It’s all paid off, it’s mine—so tell me, who does it belong to?”

The courageous young man of God said in humility, “Well, sir, may I ask you to repeat that question a hundred years from now?”

“I am never afraid for my brethren who have had many troubles,” remarked Spurgeon, “but I tremble for those whose career is prosperous.”  Long ago, Scripture told us that wealth without wisdom and prosperity without humility has destroyed many a soul.

Today, I am thanking God you do not have that problem!  The only thing I repeat now is what I read on an English tombstone:

“Everything I spent in life I have lost. Everything I gained in life I now give to someone else. The only thing I take with me is what I have given away. Found on a Tombstone in England