Gratitude is a key theme in the Bible, and God encourages us to appreciate His blessings. An ungrateful attitude can lead to resentment, while thankfulness brings joy and peace. The Bible teaches us to recognize and value even the smallest blessings, helping us to see life through a lens of gratitude and trust in God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Unfaithfulness
What Does The Bible Say About Ungrateful Person
2 Timothy 3:2
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…”
This verse from 2 Timothy highlights the characteristics of ungratefulness amongst people. It serves as a reminder that in the last days, there will be individuals who lack gratitude, being consumed by their own selfish desires and prioritizing material wealth over genuine appreciation. The emphasis on being ungrateful emphasizes the importance of cultivating a heart of thankfulness, recognizing the blessings we receive and acknowledging the goodness of God in our lives.
This verse reminds us to guard against the negative traits that lead to ungratefulness and instead strive to cultivate a humble and grateful spirit that acknowledges the goodness and provision of God.
Luke 17:11-19
“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”
This story of the ten lepers highlights the importance of gratitude. While all ten were healed, only one returned to express his gratitude to Jesus. This passage serves as a reminder that being grateful is not just about receiving blessings, but also about recognizing and acknowledging them. It reveals the impact that gratitude has on our relationship with God and others, as the grateful Samaritan was commended for his faith.
The passage challenges us to reflect on our own level of gratitude and reminds us of the significance of expressing our thankfulness to God and others for the blessings we receive.
Ephesians 5:20
“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this verse, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to give thanks to God in all circumstances. It emphasizes that gratitude should be a constant attitude and habit in the life of a Christian. No matter the situation or season, believers are called to express gratitude towards God for everything, recognizing His sovereignty and faithfulness.
This verse challenges us to shift our focus from our circumstances to the goodness of God. It reminds us that even in challenging times, there is always something to be thankful for and encourages us to develop a heart of gratitude that permeates every aspect of our lives.
Psalm 95:2
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
In this psalm, the psalmist invites believers to approach God with thanksgiving. It emphasizes the importance of worshiping and praising God with grateful hearts. Expressing gratitude through music and song is seen as an integral part of worshiping and glorifying God.
This verse encourages us to incorporate gratitude into our worship practices and reminds us that our gratitude towards God should overflow in expressions of joy and praise.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse from Colossians highlights the importance of gratitude in every aspect of our lives. It reminds believers that in all that they do, they should do it with a heart of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s presence and influence in their lives.
It challenges us to examine our actions and attitudes, ensuring that everything we say and do is done in a manner that reflects our gratefulness towards God.
Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
This psalm opens with an exhortation to give thanks to the Lord, highlighting His goodness and enduring love. It serves as a reminder that God’s faithfulness and love towards His people are reasons for gratitude.
As believers, we are called to remember and acknowledge the goodness of God, expressing our gratitude for His unfailing love that sustains us.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
In this verse, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances, emphasizing that it is God’s will for His people. It challenges believers to find reasons for gratitude, even in difficult or challenging situations.
This verse reminds us that gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances but rather a choice we make to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and trust in His plans.
Psalm 106:1
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
This psalm begins by urging people to praise and thank the Lord because of His goodness and everlasting love. It serves as a reminder that gratitude should be rooted in an understanding of God’s character and His unchanging love for His people.
By focusing on God’s goodness and love, we are reminded of the countless reasons we have to be grateful and are encouraged to express our thankfulness to Him.
Psalm 118:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
This verse echoes the sentiment of the previous psalm, emphasizing the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness and everlasting love. It reminds us that gratitude should be a recurring theme in our relationship with God.
As recipients of God’s goodness and love, we are called to continually express our gratitude towards Him.
Hebrews 12:28
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
In this verse, the writer of Hebrews encourages believers to be thankful because they are part of an unshakable kingdom. It emphasizes that gratitude should be a natural response to the incredible blessings and steadfastness of God.
This verse challenges us to view our relationship with God through a lens of gratitude, leading us to worship Him with reverence and awe.
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
This psalm repeatedly emphasizes the goodness and enduring love of God, underscoring the reasons for offering thanks. It serves as a reminder that God’s goodness and love are constant and deserving of our continuous gratitude.
By acknowledging and expressing our thanks for God’s unending love, we are reminded of the source of our blessings and are led to cultivate a heart of gratitude.
Psalm 107:8
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind…”
In this passage, the psalmist calls upon people to give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and wonderful deeds. It recognizes God’s actions on behalf of humanity, underscoring the importance of gratitude for His intervention and provision.
This verse invites us to reflect on the countless ways in which God has shown His love and faithfulness to us and to respond with grateful hearts.
Psalm 75:1
“We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.”
Here, the psalmist extols God’s name and calls people to praise Him for His wonderful deeds. The psalmist recognizes that God’s presence is near, prompting gratitude and praise.
This verse encourages us to focus on God’s works in our lives and in the world, inviting us to respond with thanksgiving and the proclamation of His greatness.
Psalm 103:2
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”
This psalm begins with a call to the soul to praise the Lord and to remember His benefits. It highlights the importance of intentional remembrance to cultivate gratitude, ensuring that we do not forget all the ways in which God blesses us.
This verse encourages us to deliberately recall God’s goodness, prompting us to be grateful for the numerous benefits He bestows upon us.
Psalm 9:1
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
In this psalm, the psalmist expresses his determination to give thanks to the Lord with all his heart and to tell of His wonderful deeds. It highlights the sincerity and completeness of gratitude as a response to God’s faithfulness.
This verse encourages us to approach thanksgiving wholeheartedly, openly sharing with others the amazing things God has done in our lives.
Psalm 30:12
“…that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
This verse reflects the psalmist’s desire to continually offer praise and thanks to the Lord. It emphasizes the joy and active expression that should accompany gratitude.
This verse challenges us to let our hearts overflow with praise and to joyfully declare our gratitude to God without reservation.
Colossians 2:7
“…rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Here, Paul encourages the Colossians to be rooted in Christ, growing in faith and overflowing with thankfulness. It highlights the connection between faith and gratitude, as a deepened relationship with Christ leads to an abundance of gratitude.
This verse reminds us that a vibrant faith in Christ should be accompanied by an overflow of thankfulness, grounded in the transformative work of Christ in our lives.
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
This psalm expresses the psalmist’s trust and gratitude towards the Lord, highlighting the joy that comes from recognizing God’s faithfulness. It demonstrates how gratitude and praise naturally flow from a heart that confidently relies on God’s strength and protection.
This verse encourages us to anchor our trust in God, resulting in a heart full of joy and gratitude that cannot be contained.
Psalm 30:4
“Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.”
Here, the psalmist calls upon the faithful to sing and praise the Lord, recognizing the importance of vocalizing gratitude and acknowledging God’s holiness.
This verse reminds us of the power of public praise and challenges us to actively express our gratitude to God in a way that inspires and encourages others.
Psalm 50:23
“Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
In this psalm, God declares that offering thanksgiving to Him is a way to honor Him. It reveals that an attitude of thankfulness is pleasing to God and opens the door to experiencing His salvation.
This verse challenges us to elevate our gratitude from mere words to sacrificial offerings, leading to a deeper connection with God and a greater understanding of His salvation.
Psalm 116:17
“I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s commitment to offering a thanksgiving sacrifice to God. It demonstrates the tangible and intentional nature of expressing gratitude, which involves action and worship.
This verse calls us to go beyond verbal expressions of thanks and prompts us to actively demonstrate our gratitude to God through our worship and obedience.
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
In this verse, David proclaims the goodness of the Lord and His enduring love as reasons to give thanks. It highlights the timeless nature of God’s love, providing a solid foundation for gratitude.
This verse invites us to join in David’s declaration, recognizing God’s goodness and steadfast love as the basis for our continuous gratitude.
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.”
This verse from Romans highlights the consequences of ungratefulness. It reveals that neglecting to give thanks to God is linked to a decline in spiritual understanding and a darkening of the heart.
It serves as a warning against the dangers of ungratefulness and reminds us of the spiritual disconnection that can result from failing to acknowledge and appreciate God’s blessings.