Verse of the Day for November 30

Hebrews was written to people who had lost things. Some had their property taken, some had been pushed out of their communities. So verse 14 is not a pious phrase for them. For here have we no continuing city. They knew it from experience.

Then the writer tells them what sacrifice looks like now, offered through Jesus rather than at an altar. The fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Words, offered continually.

But the passage does not stop at lips. To do good and to communicate forget not. In old English, to communicate means to share what you have. Thanks spoken, and goods shared. Both are called sacrifices, and with both God is well pleased.

At the end of a day, or the end of a month of practising gratitude, it is worth asking whether the thanks has reached your hands as well as your mouth. Did it cost anything? Did anyone eat because of it?

Tonight, before you sleep, say thank you for three things from the day. Then think of one thing you can share tomorrow, a meal, a visit, an hour of your time. The city here does not last. What you give from it does.

Gratitude that is real eventually becomes generosity.

The city does not last, but what you share from it does.