Yesterday was an interesting National Day Calendar celebration. If Thursday was Thanksgiving, Friday was National You’re Welcomegiving. Thanks can be given to Richard Ankli of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who created this day back in 1977. I’m sure he would say, “You’re welcome!”
The social grace of responding to someone’s “Thank You” is something we were taught as children. “ However, in other languages, “you’re welcome” doesn’t translate so well. The plural and singular “you” is part of the problem. Also, in some languages, the phrase is unknown altogether. Variations of a response to a show of appreciation exist all over the world, but “you’re welcome” as a polite social necessity seems to only exist in English.”1
While returning an expression of gratitude with a prompt “You’re welcome” is expected, it can often come across as trite and insincere. To combat this, we might try some other responses that convey the same sentiment, only with a hint of thought behind the words.
- My pleasure (Chick-fil-A).
- It was an honor and privilege to _________.
- Thank you for the opportunity to _________.
- I was glad to do it.
- This is what I would want someone to do for me if I was in the same situation.
Be creative as you respond.
Now, going back to yesterday’s devotional, Paul was “all things to all people.” If saying “You’re welcome” is more of an American thing, we ought to do it simply because it’s a part of our culture and there isn’t anything wrong with saying it. Americans might vi
ew Christians as haughty and entitled if we don’t say it, claiming that our manners leave a lot to be desired.
But is it a sin to not say “You’re welcome?”
Luke 17:12-19 gives this familiar story. “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Jesus didn’t say “You’re welcome,” “My pleasure,” “Glad to have helped,” or any other reciprocal nicety! In fact, you can’t find a “You’re welcome” response in the Bible. Many offer words of thanks in the Bible but there isn’t the reciprocating response found in Scripture.
So, is it a sin to fail to say, “You’re welcome?” The answer: only if the neglect causes offense, harm to our testimony, or reflects poorly on Christ and Christianity. Obviously, it wasn’t a sin or offense for Jesus to not say “You’re welcome” because that wasn’t the culture as is true of most cultures in the world today. But here in the good ol’ USA, such a neglect could cause offense.
Romans 14:19-20 reminds us, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.”
Paul told the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
Just as a missionary must read their culture and be sensitive to the expectations, so must we in America. No offense will be caused by having the best manners possible. Let’s walk very carefully in our world for the glory of the Lord.
“Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses…” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4)
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/your-welcomegiving-day-day-after-thanksgiving
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