Appreciating Others Raises Their Value

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Radical gratitude means walking through life being grateful in every situation, no matter what—when times are abundant or when times are tight, when times are good or when times are bad. And being grateful can actually serve others; it can become a ministry.

Have you ever realized that every believer is a minister? I am a minister! And one ministry I can create is the ministry of appreciation.

Do you know what the word “appreciation” means? In buying a car, I certainly know the meaning of depreciation. The moment I drive it off the lot, it’s worth less than I paid for it, even if it’s a brand-new vehicle. Depreciation means “to decrease in value.” Appreciation is the opposite. It means “to increase in value.”

When I appreciate my spouse, daughter or grandchildren, I raise their value. When I appreciate my co-workers or boss, I raise their value—to both myself and the company. 

The ministry of appreciation raises the value of people. As I develop radical gratitude, I can make a ministry out of raising the value of people simply by appreciating them.

The Bible says it like this: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).

One thing I’ve discovered is this: Everyone needs massive doses of encouragement. I’ve never met anybody who’s said, “Oh no! I don’t need a compliment! I’ve had too many. Please, stop! I’m too affirmed. Don’t give me any more.”

I have an innate need to be affirmed, to be loved, to be appreciated—and so does everybody else. If I want to be used by God, here’s one way: Affirm everyone. Appreciate everyone. Show gratitude to everyone.

That’s how I can develop a ministry of appreciation.

In summary:

Radical gratitude means choosing to be thankful in every circumstance—good or bad—and using that gratitude to serve others. Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 4:29 to speak only what builds people up, and one way to do that is through a “ministry of appreciation.” Appreciation increases a person’s value, whether it’s a spouse, family member, coworker, or anyone we interact with. Everyone longs for encouragement and affirmation, and no one suffers from receiving too much of it. By intentionally appreciating, affirming, and encouraging others, we can meet a deep human need and allow God to use us to raise the value of the people around us.

Bottom line:

Use my words and attitude of gratitude to intentionally build others up—because appreciation is a ministry, and everyone needs encouragement.

Next Step:

Choose one person today and intentionally express specific appreciation for something they do or who they are.

What Is God Really Like

In review of Psalm 100:5 it says, ”For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation” (TLB).

Today’s verse is from Psalm 100:1-5. In the Psalmist invites us to enter joyfully into God's presence. I’m told to shout with joy to the Lord, worship him with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made me, and I am his. I am part of his people, a sheep in his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving; and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

I acknowledge that the Lord is God when I shout his praises, appreciate his status as my Creator, accept his authority in every detail of life, enthusiastically agree with the guidance he provides, and express my thanks for his unfailing love.

God is my creator; I did not create myself. Many live as though they are creator and center of their own little world. However this mindset leads to pride, greed, idolatry, and if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope itself. But when I realize that God created me and gives me all I have, I'll want to give to others as God has given to me. Then, even if all is lost, I still have God and all he gives us.

God alone is worthy of being worshiped. What is my attitude toward worship? Am I willingly and joyfully coming into God's presence, or am I just going through the motions, reluctantly responding. This psalm reminds me of God's goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise!

If knowing who God is, shapes the way I pray, then what is God really like?

What I’m learning is that, God has many characteristics. He is all-knowing (omniscient), he is all-powerful (omnipotent), he can be everywhere at the same time (omnipresent). The Bible tells us God is holy, just, kind, loving, and faithful.

The goodness of God is the basis for all prayer. If God is not a good God, then I would have no motivation to pray.

The only reason there’s any good in the world is because God is the Creator of the world, and he is a good God. His goodness is in the universe. You can’t spell “good” without “God.” If there’s no God, then there is no right and wrong or good and bad.

But that leaves some thinking, “Why is there evil in the world?” It’s simple: God doesn’t force us to do good. Evil exists because God gave us a free choice and we choose not to do good a lot of the time. Evil is really easy to explain. The hard thing to explain is why there is is any good in the world. In a world of “dog eat dog” and tough luck, the only reason there is good is because God is a good God.

Bottom Line:

The Lord is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.

What this means to me:

I recognize that the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on not only to myself but also to each generation.

In summary, God is good, so I should shout with joy to the Lord, worship him with gladness. Acknowledge that the Lord is God and that he made me. I am part of his people. Therefore I can enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, and give thanks to him. The Lord is good and his unfailing love continues forever. His faithfulness continues to each generation. His generosity and goodness compels me to give to others in the same way. Overall, he is all-knowing, all-powerful, he can be everywhere at the same time. God is holy, just, kind, loving, and faithful.

Today Father I thank you for your caring and goodness to me. I ask today for your wisdom and guidance in my work, my leadership and how I interact with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus name, amen!