Gratitude is an attitude that is highly cherished culturally, socially and more so in the Christian life. Ingratitude on the other hand is frowned upon. In my culture ingratitude is likened to the sin of witchcraft. People are called out for failing to show gratitude.
Culturally every time I do some act of kindness to my relatives, they express their gratitude and pronounce a blessing over my life. Gratitude is cherished in most cultures.
When it comes to the Christian life, gratitude is imperative. It is taught, commanded and commended as a way of life for Christians. It is something that should flow out of one’s relationship with Christ and an understanding that I brought nothing in this world and everything I have is a gift.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalms 100:4-5 NIV)
How does gratitude play out in a Christian’s life? First there is gratitude towards God for who he is and for what he has done and is doing for us. We must recognize that he is the source and sustainer of our lives.
“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)
This is something that Job recognized and acknowledged, even after losing everything. Despite his loss he was not filled with bitterness but praise and worship that flowed from a heart of gratitude.
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:20-22)
Gratitude flows easily and naturally when I accept that life owes me nothing and neither does anyone owe me anything. Lately as I have visited sick friends and family in hospital some of whom are totally incapacitated, I have become grateful for the gift of full body functionality.
I realize that each person I see lying in bed, sick and incapacitated, did not choose to be in that position. Therefore, the fact that I can sit up on my bed, stand, and take a shower is a gift for which I am thankful.
The second area in which we need to show gratitude as Christians, is towards others for their commitment to God and service to his people. Being grateful for how God is at work in and through others helps me to positively encourage them instead of seeing them as competitors.
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV)
The third area to show gratitude is for what God is doing in and through us to fulfill his purpose as we serve him and his people. This should never be used as something to draw attention to us or make a name for ourselves. Instead we should be grateful for the opportunity to participate in what God is doing.
One of the things that kills gratitude is a sense of entitlement and attachment to things. If I live as though God and the world owes me something it’s hard to have a heart of gratitude. When I feel unappreciated and that am not recognized for my role and contribution, I complain and grumble instead of being grateful.
“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10 NIV)
Ultimately gratitude is a mark of the Christian life. It helps me to stay focused and balanced in my service to God and his people. Wherever gratitude is missing there is strife, competition, and complaining, all of which hinder progress and fruitfulness in the Christian life.
Nelson Musipa
Nelson Musipa works for the Navigators in Zambia as an international funding coach and the director of Teachers with a Mission.
