Phil 4:6
Introduction
Gratitude is defined as a positive emotional reaction that serves a biological purpose. It’s the appreciation of the valuable and meaningful things in our lives
There are sin that we do by action are know as the sin of commission while there are other sins we do by not doing what we expected to do are known as the sin of omission. sin of omission derives from James 4:17, which teaches "Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin." Its opposite is the sin of commission, i.e. a sin resulting from an action performed.
Ingratitude is a deadly sin. God directly calls it evil! An ungrateful attitude is something that most are unaware that they have, but everyone else sees! It is a deep character flaw. Although few will tell you about it, ingratitude sticks out like a sore thumb.
We are living in a generation of ingratitude. People take gratefulness for granted. Are we raising an ungrateful generation? Are we moving from a grateful generation to the entitled generation?
Gratefulness goes beyond tribe, race, religion, status
Show gratefulness to people who are directly involved in your life. If you thank them, you break that chain and it will not follow your children.
Luke 17:17 -18 - 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 strange - Gratefulness is carried by extraordinary people not ordinary.
The apostle Paul wrote, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (II Tim. 3:1-4).
Causes of sin of ingratitude
1. Pride - they see they have, and things work out on their own strength. Ingratitude takes away the glory of God. After God does everything to us, He requires us to give Him glory. You recognize what God has done is beyond your effort. Romans 1:21 (For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened.)
2. Idolatry - instead of acknowledging God you acknowledge other things in your life, e.g. my father, my business, My education, my children, my wife.... you give them credit that belongs to God. If peace is found in SSD people say its UN instead of God. God can use all these, but we need to acknowledge that the source is God. Isaiah 42:8 - “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Text (Parable story of a fool and his wealth (Luke 12:13-21)
3. Focus so much on your challenges/Troubles
Blessings are always many that the challenges you go through. A person who focuses so much on his challenges cannot thank God. Challenges don’t mean that God has and is not doing anything. Even when you do well in life it doesn't mean that you will not celebrate, you celebrate even when weaknesses are there. This is the reason why people are committing suicide, they focus on their challenges and the devil help them to magnify their issues. The devil can divert your attention to capitalize on your troubles instead of thanking God.. - Many are the affliction of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all. Psalm 34:19.
4. Setting high standards in life.
When you concentrate on how other people live in there life, many are doing well their life and you aren’t, you compare and become jealous and envious. A jealous mind cannot thank God. Celebrate God in every level of your life. When you see your friend with a better car, you hate your own small and tiny vehicle. When you celebrate what you have, you create an environment of more. Gratitude is the only way God moves you from one level/glory to another. By the way, Our thankfulness is not even compared to what God has done and doing in our life.
5. Complain - And wherefore has the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt” (Num. 14:2-4).
6. Critical - If you are critical you can not thank God, everything that comes before you you criticize
Kindly note;
Gratitude transcends mere words; it carries profound weight and significance. It is not a casual acknowledgment but a form of worship, giving credit where it is due to God. Let your gratitude be weighty, acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon you with sincerity and reverence.
Instead of waiting for acknowledgment, choose to give thanks freely. Waiting for recognition may lead to disappointment, but expressing gratitude unconditionally brings fulfillment and joy.
Recognize that every aspect of your life, no matter how small, is a miraculous gift. Despite our shortcomings, we are undeservingly blessed. Therefore, cultivate a heart of thanksgiving for the abundance of miracles surrounding you.
Gratitude has the power to unlock miracles in your life. By expressing gratitude for what you have, even in times of scarcity, you open the door to abundance. Conversely, an ungrateful attitude may hinder the flow of blessings and miracles in your life.
Expressing thanks to others is not a sign of weakness but of humility. It demonstrates meekness, acknowledging the contributions and kindness of others with sincerity and appreciation.
Cultivating gratitude shifts your perspective, allowing you to see the world through a lens of abundance and blessings rather than scarcity and lack.
Gratitude is a form of wealth, enriching your life with abundance and blessings. Conversely, complaining only leads to poverty of spirit and dissatisfaction.
Giving back and tithing are tangible expressions of gratitude in action. Give generously, even to the point of discomfort, knowing that this sacrificial giving attracts blessings and abundance into your life.
Your attitude of gratitude determines the heights you can reach in life. Embrace gratitude wholeheartedly, and watch as doors of opportunity and blessings open before you.
The story of the ten lepers illustrates that unexpressed gratitude is akin to ingratitude. Let your gratitude be vocal and sincere, acknowledging the blessings in your life with humility and joy.
Ingratitude can lead to loss and stagnation in life. As Matthew 25:29 warns, those who are ungrateful may find even what they have taken away. Guard against ingratitude, lest it rob you of your blessings and destiny.
Even when you believe something is rightfully yours, never underestimate the power of a simple "thank you." Expressing gratitude, even for the expected, fosters a spirit of appreciation and humility.
Repent from the sin of ingratitude, recognizing its destructive nature and choosing instead to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving and appreciation.
When you focus on counting your blessings, you naturally shift your attention away from what you lack. By acknowledging and appreciating the abundance in your life, you invite even more blessings to flow into your existence.
Pastor Joseph Ondu
Faith Foundation Family Church
fffckenya@gmail.com
