This week, most Americans will be focusing on Thanksgiving Day with its traditional turkey dinner and pumpkin pie. But people will have various reasons for celebrating. Some will consider it as an opportunity to take part in another routine holiday party; others will consider their own circumstances and America’s place in the world as they seriously examine reasons to really be genuinely thankful.

Yes, America (and other wealthy nations) has many reasons to celebrate, and rightly so. But should this attitude of thankfulness be exclusive only to the rich?

Would God not want thankfulness to be a universal attitude? Having firsthand knowledge and experience of third world conditions, how can these less fortunate nations and peoples also be thankful?

In this world, nations are categorized according to their level of economic productivity or output, which is designated by an index known as gross domestic product (GDP) while the index of the average general living conditions of its citizens is expressed by "per capita GDP." Such data is helpful for administrative planning and action.

While this information has good uses, comparisons on such physical levels can make some thankful and others resentful. The Bible offers some words of wisdom when it comes to comparing: "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Why is this so?

Depending on the measure we use, we all know that there will always be someone in a better state than we are. For example, one may be judged as the most handsome or beautiful person in a contest, but may still not be contented because he or she may not be as wealthy, smart or talented as someone else. Such comparisons can be endless.

Many of us may be familiar with the proverbial man who complained he had no shoes—until he met a man with no feet.

While the account stops there, it does not necessarily mean that such is the end of the story. What could have been the complaint of the man who has no feet? Can he still be thankful? Only if he stops comparing and begins to appreciate the other things which he does have.

This brings us to a very important point.

Thankfulness is a state of mind, an attitude. It is a positive perspective which does not focus on what one does not have, but rather values what one does have, no matter how basic.

The apostle Paul expressed this concept in his letter to Timothy when he wrote: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

Paul continues this thought in the following verses, explaining that greediness creates lots of problems and ultimately brings discontentment and unhappiness.

How can you find contentment, thankfulness and happiness? An important first step is to remember that none of us deserved any existence. Yes, none of us ever asked to be born. Yet by the love and grace of God, He has chosen to give us this free gift—the joy of a physical life. And all the other good things that may go with this life are to be counted as great bonuses!

But an added dimension to attaining ultimate thankfulness comes when we focus on that which transcends this temporary physical life—the life which is spiritual and endures forever.

Most do not realize it, but God offers us something infinitely greater than anything we have ever known in this life—and which is surely in store for us! This physical life is just the first stage in the process of joining the great family of God! (For more information on this very important and exciting subject, request or download your free booklets What is Your Destiny? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.)

While we should indeed be thankful for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18), thanksgiving is not just for a day, nor just for the rich, but should be part of everyone’s character as we all seek to be part of that great Kingdom of God—our ultimate eternal destiny!