Respond with Grace in Gratitude

November 17th, 2025

Deuteronomy 26:1-10.

When something nice or caring happens to you, what is your first response? Both with my own children and the students under my care, I want them to learn that gratitude is the most appropriate way of replying. No matter the size of the action, our first response is “Thank you.”

Besides good manners helping ease our social interactions, showing gratitude transforms us into healthy, holy people. Christlike followers share their gratitude with God and those around them rather than demanding more, more, more.

One of the ways we can say “thank you,” in addition to words, is giving first to God. By giving the “firstfruits” to God, we acknowledge that God is the provider of all good things in our lives. Our gratitude goes beyond a spoken prayer or posted verse but becomes tangible actions and items representing God’s grace.

Today, take a moment to reflect on the graces and gifts that God has bestowed on you. Perhaps you can write a list in the margins of today’s devotional. Then think about how you have responded in gratitude to God for those blessings. How did you present the “firstfruits” to God? How have you seen God using those gifts of gratitude in your community?

Author: Stefanie Hendrickson