The Sin of Ingratitude

The Sin of Ingratitude

Psalms 23:1 Complete Jewish Bible

1 Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.

   Ann Voskamp wrote: "Satan's sin became the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude.  Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully, ingrateful for what God gave...... Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other."
   While I believe the first sin of Lucifer was pride, I agree that ingratitude was there near the beginning.  And it certainly was involved in Adam and Eve’s fall.  But I’m not here to quibble over small points, but rather I want to talk about ingratitude during this season of Thanksgiving.

   The sin of ingratitude is running rampant today, but it’s not a sin we talk a lot about.  It’s not like lust, pride, greed, envy.  Those are “bad” sins and rightly named among the 7 Deadly Sins.  We know about those sins and read about them in the news every day.  We face temptations from them all the time.  Surely ingratitude can’t be that bad, not like those sins?  I read through the Ten Commandments and not one of them says, “Thou shalt be thankful."  Besides, if I’m ungrateful, who does it hurt? 

   Any father or mother can answer that one.  You know what it’s like to do something for a child and have them act like they’re bored or not be involved at all or you give them a gift and it either goes into the closet and never sees the light of day again or they look at it like you dragged it out of the trash and gave it to them.  So, who does it hurt?  The parent giving the gift is hurt. 

   Do you think God feels hurt at our ingratitude?  I believe so and God has written to us a few reminders like, Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

And 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

    In all circumstances, (in everything) give thanks.  And be thankful.
   So….am I grateful to God in everything?  And if not, why not?  How did my heart become so full of ingratitude?  I have much to be grateful for.  So much.  But I’ve let the sin of ingratitude creep in and take root in my heart.  Like Friday morning.  I got up and washed up and got dressed.  I had breakfast.  I went out to the car and put the key in the ignition and turned it and the car started.  I needed gas so went to the station and filled up.  And grumbled all the way to work.  Later I felt uneasy with myself.  Why was I so unhappy?  I have a comfortable bed to get out of, my house was warm, the water in the shower was warm, the food was in the fridge for my breakfast, the car runs, I had money for the gas, and I have a job to go to where I’m paid a decent wage.  Where do I get the audacity to grumble about that?  What part of my morning was so intolerable? 

   I had to ask God to forgive my bad attitude and remind myself that I should be grateful and give thanks for my life.  I’m doing quite well and God has poured blessings on me regularly. 

   I’m not sure if my ingratitude is a byproduct of living in a society that over-indulges itself or if I’m just slipping in my spiritual life and need to ask God for a refreshing.  I’m not a chronic grumbler, so I don’t think it’s a serious problem yet, but I don’t want to neglect a problem and let it grow into a serious problem. 

   I started with thanking Him that He took a stubborn, independent, selfish, sinful person and transformed my heart and mind into one of His children.  And I’m growing in Him every day!  That’s something I am grateful for! 

   My joints hurt each morning and hurt a little more each night.  But I can work and do more than many people I know.  Some younger than I am.  That’s something I am grateful for! 

   My wife loves me, my family loves me, I have loving friends.  And my dog loves me.  God has surrounded me with love.  That’s something I am grateful for! 

   I could go on but you get the idea, right?  With all these blessings, I have no business being ungrateful.  I need to obey the words Paul penned and be thankful in all things and at all times.  I need to remember the words David wrote and acknowledge that the Lord is my shepherd and I lack nothing. 

   If you look into all of the dusty corners of your heart, you’ll find something about your life to grumble about.  My suggestion is that you don’t look.  Instead, raise you head and look up and remember all the good things God has blessed you with.  Tell Him you’re thankful for all these blessings.  Make a habit of giving Him thanks and let your life be one of gratitude.

Stephen Cram                                                             December 1, 2013                     

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, following the tradition of men according to the rudiments of the world, and not in accordance with Christ.  Colossians 2:8

Visit my pastor’s blog at http://pastorjonrhinehart.blogspot.com/.

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture is from the New King James Version of the Bible.