Paul often acknowledged those who helped him. ‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God…for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News’ (vv. 3-5 NLT). ‘You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help…No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness’ (Philippians 4:15-17 NLT). He writes to the believers in Thessalonica: ‘We can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering’ (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT). Author Barbara Glanz tells about a gentleman who remembered his eighth-grade literature teacher. He wrote to her and received this reply: ‘You will never know how much your letter meant. I’m 83 years old, and…living all alone. My friends are all gone. My family’s gone. I taught school 50 years and yours is the first “thank you” letter I have ever gotten from a student. Sometimes I wonder what I did with my life. I will read and reread your letter until the day I die.’ Ironically, she was the teacher students talked most about at class reunions, but nobody ever told her. Showing appreciation costs so little in terms of time and money, but it can mean the world to somebody. So today, who do you need to express your appreciation to?
