The other day I received a message from my bank announcing a six-cent interest payment to my account.

My usual reaction to those messages is that if the bank is that hard up for money, it should just keep it. But this time I reminded myself that I get a world of service from that bank.

• All my financial payments go there. Nobody has to cut a check and mail it to me. I don’t have to take the check somewhere, convert it to cash, etc. The number on my balance changes, and I can spend money! It’s seamless.
• All my payments come from there: I can schedule payments to businesses from my computer. Some payments are scheduled periodically in advance. Some payments are set up so that the business takes the money out. I hardly ever write a check, put it in an envelope and waste a stamp! I can transfer money easily, especially to another Wells Fargo account holder anywhere in the world. 
• If I do get a check from someone, I can deposit it with my computer. 
• The list goes on.

All of those services are absolutely free. And every now and then the bank actually adds a few pennies to my account rather than taking out $5 or $10 per month for all those services. There’s a lot to be thankful for.

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.18, NKJV)

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him… (Romans 1.21, NIV)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1.17, NIV)