Ungratefulness is a burden
Good morning brethren, I like to write on a topic
“Ungratefulness is a burden.” to be ungrateful is to lack a sense of
thankfulness and it is seen as a sin that can lead to spiritual damage and a
hardening of the heart. People sometimes forget to give thanks for God’s
blessings in their lives, they rather allow their troubles to define them,
ungratefulness is a burden especially when you forget to express gratitude for
all of God’s blessings in your life (the air we breathe to the smile from
people, etc), when we become weighed down by our problems, and our troubles
begin to define us. Ingratitude is a rejection of God as the Creator and ruler
of all things. It rejects God as the giver of life, the giver of every
blessing. We read how Apostle Paul rejoiced and requested the brethren at
Philippians to rejoice with him (Philippians 4:4). As believers we are admonished to develop a
thankful spirits because whatever we have, wherever we are, and, all that we
are comes from the hand of God. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says What do you have that
you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did
not receive it?”
Ungratefulness is often associated to being proud, the
prideful heart is the thankless heart and is at enmity with God. Unfortunately,
people with ungrateful heart, often focus on what they lack rather than what
they have and this can lead to discontentment and envy. They are not able
to appreciate God’s blessings and provisions, they are spiritually blind, and
are not able to recognise and respond to God's work in their
lives. Examples of ungrateful people in the bible are the nine lepers (Luke
17:12-19), in the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus illustrated the
dangers of an ungrateful and unforgiving heart (Matthew 18:23-35), the young
rich ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 that approached Jesus with a question did not
trust on reliance on God’s provision. The Israelites in the wilderness grumbled
and complained even after being miraculously delivered from slavery in
Egypt. One clear example is in Exodus 17:3: “But the people thirsted there
for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring
us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with
thirst?’” They soon forget God’s care for them that they accused Moses of
trying to kill them and wished to return to Egypt—to slavery! There are serious
consequences of ingratitude, it can lead to a weakening of faith and can
distant people from God presence, it can lead to withdrawal of God's blessings
and even total denial of God’s blessings.
In conclusion the scripture encourages believers to show
appreciation for everything, “In everything give thanks, for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and we are not to be
anxious about anything “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God." (Philippians 4:6). May the Lord truly help us to cultivate a spirit
of gratitude through prayer, praise, and reflection in Jesus name. Service
is for 10.30am and workers meeting is for 10am. God’s blessings - Mike