Living in the Image of God M02S10

Appreciation means thankful recognition of benefits received, the human provider of the benefits, and God that empowers the provider—a three-step interaction that begins with the benefits, continues through the benefactor, and on to God. Appreciation occurs in the heart and seeks outward expression through testimony, thereby inspiring others to do more likewise; motivates hunger and thirst for righteousness and, thus, initiates the long-term benefits of human service; and breeds humility and happiness. Appreciate the intrinsic value of a person as God’s representative in human interactions and you will be happy you do.

This bible study discusses the meaning of appreciation, starting with the dictionary definition and expanding on it to understand more. We discuss appreciation as a three-step interaction that begins with thankful recognition of benefits received, continues through the benefactor, and on to God. We note that all the steps and their sequence are important for appreciation to be effective and impactful. We discuss the value of testimony for expressing and sharing appreciation and note that the beneficiary testimony regarding appreciation can inspire the benefactor and others to do more likewise. Let a person know their good deed is appreciated and they are more likely to do more for you and others.

Also, as we discuss in a previous study under Christ Teaches Appreciation—Woman with Persistent Bleeding, Christ teaches appreciation by creating opportunity for public testimony or directing the beneficiary to go and testify publicly. Further, to discuss the value of appreciation, we note that appreciation motivates hunger and thirst for righteousness and, by doing so, initiates the long-term benefits of human service. Also, we note that appreciation breeds humility and humility breeds appreciation. Similarly, appreciation breeds happiness and happiness breeds appreciation.