Thanking God Without Idolizing His Gifts | Joe Rigney
Nov 21, 2023
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Dr. Joe Rigney discusses how to strike a balance between enjoying God's gifts and treasuring Him, exploring topics such as the commercialization of Thanksgiving, the tension between earthly and spiritual appetites, and the integration of love for God and His creation. He also encourages giving thanks to God amidst tragedy and loss.
The goodness of earthly pleasures is meant to draw us closer to God through gratitude and worship.
Gratitude and contentment in the gifts of creation are important, but we must find our deepest satisfaction in God.
In the tension between love for family and love for God, prioritizing Jesus is necessary, but God's grace allows integration of both loves.
Deep dives
The Tension of Thankfulness and the Goodness of Earthly Pleasures
Many Christians struggle with the tension between being thankful to God for his good gifts and the desire to worship him alone. This tension is particularly evident during holidays like Thanksgiving, where the pleasures and gifts of the table are celebrated. Some may wonder why feasting and enjoying earthly pleasures are important and not simply replaced by going to church to worship God. However, this tension can be resolved by understanding that the goodness of earthly pleasures, like food and family, are meant to draw us closer to God. Gratitude for these gifts is an on-ramp to worship and adoration, as they are reflections of God's glory and invitations to come closer to him. By enjoying these gifts while keeping God at the center, we can experience the fullness of worship and gratitude.
Finding the Right Balance: Enjoying God's Gifts without Idolatry
The book 'Things of Earth' by Dr. Joe Rigney addresses the common struggle of Christians to enjoy the gifts of creation without falling into idolatry. Inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis, Rigney emphasizes that earthly pleasures, such as food, nature, and human relationships, are shafts of God's glory. They serve as invitations to come closer to Him and experience His goodness. However, it is crucial to maintain a balanced perspective. Rigney highlights the importance of gratitude and contentment in the gifts of creation, without turning them into ultimate sources of satisfaction. While we can fully enjoy these gifts, we must ultimately find our deepest satisfaction and joy in God, the source of all good things.
The Comparative Test: Following Jesus Above All
In navigating the tension between our love for family and our love for God, Dr. Joe Rigney's book, 'Things of Earth,' provides insight by exploring Jesus' teachings. Jesus challenges us to prioritize Him over our earthly relationships, saying that those who do not hate father, mother, and siblings are not worthy of Him. Rigney explains that this does not advocate actual hatred, but rather a comparative test. If faced with a choice between following Jesus or clinging to familial relationships, we must choose Jesus. However, God's graciousness often allows us to cherish both Him and our families simultaneously. The book emphasizes integrating the love and enjoyment of God's good gifts while always prioritizing our love for Him.
Understanding the Purpose of Embodied Creatures
The podcast explores the question of why humans are embodied creatures rather than disembodied souls. It argues that our bodies mediate between us and the delivery of praise and glory to God. These bodies are emblematic of creation as a whole, serving as microcosms that testify to all that exists. The podcast emphasizes that God created this kind of world with bodies and souls, trees and honey, as the best way for him to communicate his nature and requirements to creatures who need him. The key insight is that we should accept the goodness of creation and live in light of it while recognizing that sin has corrupted it.
The Dynamic Relationship Between Enjoying God's Gifts and Thankfulness
The podcast delves into the tension between seeing the things of earth as growing dim or growing strangely bright in the light of God's glory. It examines two hymns as examples: 'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus' and 'This is My Father's World.' It argues that the things of earth grow dim when our minds are set on Christ and heavenly things, but they grow strangely bright when we recognize God's glory refracted through creation. The podcast encourages a balanced approach, understanding that the things of earth can lead us to adore and thank God, while also cautioning against idolatry. It emphasizes that Christians should fully enjoy God's gifts, offering gratitude as an on-ramp to adoration and sharing those gifts generously with others. The key insight is that joy in earthly blessings can lead to a deeper joy in God and a fuller understanding of His goodness.
We gather at Thanksgiving to enjoy food, to count our blessings (including family and friends), and to express our gratitude to the Giver. But is it possible to love God’s gifts too much? Shane welcomes Dr. Joe Rigney, author of The Things of Earth, to explain how we should treasure God by enjoying our blessings.
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