Title: The Unthankful Person
"Therefore, since you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, walk in him, rooted and built up in him, standing firm in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
"Thank God. Thank you that the worst disasters like last week are not always with us.”
We need to understand and be thankful for God's great grace whether we are in tribulation or in the midst of tribulation.
“Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4).
The president of a large American company said, “People don’t know how to be grateful,” and he said that he has been giving to many people in his business for 61 years, but it is difficult to find anyone who does not forget to be grateful. One time, I sent turkeys to 176 people, and there were only four people who said thank you. Two of them ran into each other on the way and said a word, and the other two wrote a word on a small note and sent it.
Only those with a noble heart can give thanks. If you believe in God and do not give thanks, then your faith is false.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good and his lovingkindness endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
A person who has worked faithfully as a lifeguard at sea all his life has come to an honorable retirement age. Many people gathered to celebrate his successful mission and achievements. A friend asked: "How many people have you saved so far while working as a lifeguard?" "There are only two."
It was a completely unexpected answer. The friend asked again in disbelief.
"You've been working for over thirty years, and you've only saved two people? Don't be kidding." The lifeguard explained to a friend: “Of course, there were countless people who were saved. But after that, there were only two people who came to me to say thank you. can."
Whenever we face difficulties in the rough seas of life, we turn to God for help. However, after overcoming difficulties through God's intervention, you can see that most people forget that fact too easily, far from being grateful. A word of thanks and true devotion to God will be the greatest glory and praise that can be attributed to God.
"Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).
There is another example like this. God sent two angels and commanded them to gather the prayers of those who are praying for this day. They each carried a large basket and went wherever the Saints prayed. Whether it was a wealthy family, a church, or a school, I went into the prayers of the people. After finishing their work in the evening, the two angels took each other's baskets and came to God. However, one angel's basket was too heavy to carry, while the other angel's basket contained only a few pieces. Then God asked the angel holding the light basket why the basket was so light. Then the angel said, “Most people in the world only prayed, ‘Do this, please do that.’ ‘Thank you for doing this. Thank you for that.’ I didn’t say much of a prayer of thanks. So that friend's basket of 'Supplication' was full, but my basket of 'Thanks' was... … .” he replied, sighing.
In Luke 17:11-19, even when Jesus healed ten lepers, only one returned and gave glory to God.
The Bible says
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“There is no need for filthiness, or foolishness, or slander, but turn and speak words of thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
“I give thanks to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
“With what shall I repay for all the favor the Lord has given me?” (Psalm 116:12)
Modern people are losing the most precious thing, and that is gratitude. We live in abundance and convenience more than ever before, but our hearts are always full of complaints and dissatisfaction. It is because we have a habit of finding things that are not present and complaining about them rather than being grateful for what has already been given. Let's be grateful for the life we have now. True happiness begins with gratitude. God dwells in the heart of the grateful person. Therefore, those who have a grateful heart cannot help but be at peace. Be thankful to God in any situation.
* Prayer: Loving and holy Father God! We lived with so much complaining. We do not give thanks for what we currently have, hope for what we do not have, and repent of our sins of murmuring, complaining, and lamenting. Help us not to complain about what we have lost, but to be thankful for what we have to give. Help us not to complain about what we don't have, but to be more grateful for what we have. Help me to live a life that glorifies God. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!