Thanksgiving reminds us of the cross and the life-changing power of Christ’s blood. We have endless reasons to be grateful for what Jesus accomplished on the cross. In a powerful message, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn reveals how genuine gratitude reflects a genuinely thankful heart—and how that thankfulness can shape your future in ways you may never have imagined.
As Cahn points out, if two people each claim to have received a wonderful gift, but only one shows gratitude, it’s easy to see who is telling the truth. “The one who’s thankful,” Cahn says, “is the one who’s telling the truth. In the gospel, it is written that He took the bread at the Last Supper and gave thanks… it was the blessing. It’s never the bread.” Thanksgiving is the accurate measure of whether someone has received the gift of salvation.
Jesus’ act at the Last Supper points to a principle that extends to every area of life. The organized church called the bread the Eucharist, but as Cahn explains, “The word for Eucharist is in the Bible… It’s not about the bread. It’s not the bread at all… It’s the blessing over the bread.” Gratitude, not possession, is the key to abundance. “It’s never the things that are going to make your life. It’s the blessing over the things… It’s not how much you have. It’s how much blessing you give for what you have.”
Cahn points out that this principle was also evident in Jesus’ miracle of feeding the multitudes. With only two fish and five loaves, He “didn’t complain about the food… He says he lifted it up and He gave thanks to God. And when He gave thanks to God, it multiplied.” Cahn emphasizes, “Take the little you have. And instead of complaining about the little, give thanks for the little and the little will multiply.” This multiplication begins in the heart: frustration lifts, joy grows and the believer begins to see how truly blessed they are.
The practice of thanksgiving is transformative. Cahn shares, “Just sit down, just start writing down blessings in your life and start giving thanks to God. Watch the joy grow and multiply in your life.” He points out that it doesn’t matter how big or small your home, account, or resources are—when gratitude flows, blessings flow. “When you take nothing for granted, everything becomes a blessing… You take your spouse for granted; they can’t bless you anymore. You take your salvation for granted; you won’t be blessed. But when you start giving thanks, take nothing for granted, give thanks for everything you’ve got every day, it’s going to bless you.”
Paul echoes this in Scripture: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks—for this is God’s will for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Cahn reinforces this, saying, “When you present your request to God, but with thanksgiving, the shalom, the peace of God which passes all understanding, is going to guard your heart and your mind in Messiah Jesus.” Gratitude isn’t optional; it’s protective. Romans 1 warns, “When they knew God, they didn’t glorify him… neither were they thankful, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
The key to abundance is radical but straightforward: in every situation, lift your needs to God, but do it with thanks. Cahn reminds us, “If you give thanks from your heart, you won’t be frustrated. If you give thanks, you won’t be depressed. If you give thanks, you won’t be filled with anxiety and fear.”
Start small—thank God for waking up, for the clothes you wear, for your breath, your home, your family, and see how He multiplies your joy, peace and blessing. In the Kingdom of God, thanksgiving is not just a response. It’s the key that unlocks everything.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
