A week ago, the San Antonio Business Journal (SABJ) hosted its annual banquet honoring non-profit businesses, employees, and volunteers for their outstanding dedication and efforts to different areas of the city’s community. This author was honored and blessed to attend this event as the guest of one of this year’s recipients. Undeniably, it was amazing to listen to the incredible feats each and every honoree had accomplished in their respective fields of work. Although their achievements are fantastic, what truly added to their brilliance was to know that each and every awarded recipient had done so by choice; not obligation. One award winner (if I remember correctly) had been bringing food to underprivileged kids at schools where funding is not as easily accessed for over seventy years! Naturally, hearing this wonderful woman’s story peaked my curiosity and I asked the awarded honoree who’s guest I was how long had she been working with her organization? With an enormous smile and radiance in her eyes, she informed me that she had the blessing to have been serving her children (for this is how she proudly and fondly refers to them) for over thirty years. Thus, it came as no surprise to this author when her name was announced as this year’s SABJ Non-profit Employee of the Year; an additional award apart from the one she had already received. It was explained that this recognition was given to that one person in each category who’s splendor outshone the rest. It was when I heard the explanation of the award that I understood the banquet’s true purpose and I began to notice the repetition of two words coming from the hosts to the honored guests; “Thank you.” What at the beginning in my mind was an “awards banquet” had in actuality always been a banquet of appreciation to a select group of men and women who stood out for their selflessness. It was a way to publicly thank them for the excellent dedication they genuinely displayed, far away from the spotlight. Even though their motivation to put forth all of their energy, time, and devotion was never so that they could be exalted for their work, the organizers of this event understood the value of expressing their appreciation for this attitude of giving. Undeniably, this puts into perspective Holy Writ’s command, “we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves” (1st Thessalonians 5:12-13, emphasis added). Observe that the inspired apostle’s motive for instructing the Thessalonians to “recognize those who labor” is not solely to praise them, but rather to “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.” Paul was making his brethren in Thessalonica aware of the precious value these members had in their congregation and the importance of not ignoring their selflessness. Paul knew firsthand how discouraging it is to be underappreciated by an attitude of ungratefulness, for he wrote to the Corinthians “I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (2nd Corinthians 12:14-15, emphasis added). Keep in mind that these words were penned by Paul at a time when his apostleship was being put into question by the Corinthians; a congregation that he had helped establish. His response to their ingratitude was “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord” (1st Corinthians 9:1-2, emphasis added). Therefore, it becomes abundantly clear that Paul’s instruction of showing gratitude toward those who worked arduously in Thessalonica was so that they would become discouraged and cease their labors of love. The apostle comprehended the importance of recognition toward those who did not seek it, but was aware of the impact of ingratitude as well. Curiously, the SABJ banquet designed to thank those who have given themselves over to their philanthropic efforts was held a few weeks away from an eroding tradition that has gratitude as its focus. Today, more emphasis has been made on the day after Thanksgiving, marketed as “Black Friday.” Lamentably, this is a glaring manifestation of what our world is today. It is a resounding testament of how selfish, entitled, materialistic, and utterly ungrateful society has become. Although it is true that we must always be grateful, it is a tragedy to see how in today’s world even the one day that had been designated for that specific purpose is quickly being abandoned for the antipodal. In a time where we as a society should be very grateful for the many blessings, the Lord has poured upon us, such as technological advancements, instead, we are emulating the example of nine ungrateful lepers (Luke 17:11-19). Like the lepers, humanity today turns to God only during distress and when in need. Sadly, prayer has been metaphorically placed inside a crimson box with a glass cover emblazoned with the phrase “Break Glass In Case of Emergency.” Mankind has long forgotten to “pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” radiating the narcissistic culture that has been bred from greed and materialism. However, it is refreshing to be reminded that there are still people out there who have not been ensnared by selfishness, and that there also still those who are just, exhibiting their justice by expressing their gratitude to them. It is wise to understand the real value of appreciation to be encouragement and righteousness. It is righteous to give honor where honor is due, but it is also a motivation that fuels that selfless spirit to continue on that path that has become so elusive in our world today. Thus, let us instead imitate the Samaritan leper who “when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks” (Luke 17:15-16, emphasis added). Unequivocally, we have much to be grateful for to our God.
