WISDOM OF APPRECIATION

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12

The WISDOM of APPRECIATION produces Motivation and Value-appreciation: “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1The. 5: 12-13a). Appreciation means to recognize, acknowledge, and admire others, communicating our approval or commendation to them! It implies taking the time to make people feel welcome and worthy, encouraging and uplifting them. Appreciation is a form of valuing others, as it takes focus off self, turning it over to the Will of God. Appreciation flows from a heart of humility and attitude of gratitude.

Appreciation is fuelled from heartfelt gratitude to God for what we have and what He has done, motivating us to value others with dignity and respect: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Rom.12:10). The brethren in Thessalonica were enjoined to recognize those who labour among them, and esteem them highly (vv.12-18). Paul instructed Timothy to doubly honour elders who led well in the Word and in doctrine (1 Tim. 5:17). 1 Pet. 2:17a says, “Honor all people…” However, appreciation differs from gratitude, which is a response for what someone has done for us – saying “thank you” in word and deed. Appreciation is being thankful and glad for the effort, input, or contribution of others in our circles of influence.

Appreciation could infer offering others a kind word at the right time and place, which could lead them out of discouragement or depression. Appreciation could be sincere compliments that bring a “lifting” at a critical junction in life (Job 22:29). Kind gestures can set a tone for healthy relationships and point others to Christ. Society is full of dispiriting people who live to put others down; few people live to build others up. Many are too preoccupied with themselves and their situations to see and value others. Therefore, it is of great value in God’s sight that we take the time to appreciate, celebrate, and thus, motivate others. When you learn to appreciate others, you are bound to appreciate in life!

APPRECIATION produces MOTIVATION. Whatever we praise increases. Whatever we appreciate elevates. Appreciated people achieve the best; dominated people achieve second best; and neglected people achieve the least. We should invest in lifting people up, not pulling them down. Correction does much, but appreciation and encouragement do much more. The opposites of appreciation – callousness, disregard, disrespect, and insensitivity – all spring from the root of pride, and are de-motivators. Pride thinks only of self and prevents one from being appreciative of others. Everyone loves Praise. Let’s not spare sharing words of appreciation. A compliment is like verbal sunshine: “How forceful are right words...” (Job 6:25). The good words we give are worth so much and cost so little!