Are You a Thankful Person?

By Joe Keim

May 1, 2014

Do you consider yourself a thankful person? What I mean is, when was the last time you stopped, looked someone in the eyes, and said, “Thank you?”

When was the last time you sat down and wrote a heartfelt note to a friend or spouse using those same powerful and amazing words, “Thank you?"

What about God? Have you appreciated Him for all He does for you? Do you tell Him thank you? How many years has He provided you with food? Breath? Protection? Health? Finances? Family? Love? Roof over your head? Job?

I’m going to be brutally honest. I believe we live in a day when most people are caught up in SELF and what they can get out of life;  they have forgotten to be thankful for the many things they have. They go days and weeks without thanking others who have given their heart to help! The same goes for bowing our heads and thanking God for all He does for us.

There are at least three indications of an unthankful heart:

1. Anger. People are angry because they don’t get their way.
2. Depression. People are depressed almost daily because they are discontent and dissatisfied.
3. Self-centeredness. People use the word “I” and “me” constantly because they think the world revolves around their lives and their needs. 

I want to draw your attention to a description of one of the most chaotic and messed up lives found in God’s Word. Please stay with me; this leads to why we must be thankful.

In Romans chapter 1, the Bible describes what the last days will be like. Listen carefully; it begins with...you guessed it...an unthankful heart.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful (Romans 1:21).

As we head full speed into the last days, it is very clear that people everywhere know God. Some even claim to care about the things of God, but they stop short of glorifying and thanking Him.

Why?

The answer is simple! They are caught up in SELF and what they can get out of life.

Let me show you from the Bible where unthankful people are headed. Many are not only headed that way, they are already there and don’t know it.

Romans 1 says because they stopped being thankful:

• Verse 24: God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own heart. . . .
• Verse 26: God gave them up unto vile affections. . . .
• Verse 28: God gave them over to a reprobate mind. . . .

God is saying, “Because you stopped glorifying Me and being thankful, I am going to pull out of your life and let you do your own thing.” The truth is, our world is full of people who are blinded. They are, as mentioned before, so caught up in SELF they hardly recognize the fact that God pulled out and left them wallowing in their own mire and pit of darkness.

No, it’s not just the world we are talking about; they are found in our churches. They dress up nicely and know all the right words, looking much like the church we read about in Revelation 3:15-17.

I [Jesus] know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

What are some outward signs of a person with an unthankful heart?

• Living a sinful lifestyle no longer bothers them. Maybe it did in the beginning, but not anymore.
• In their hearts, they have said, I can pretty much live any way I want and God will overlook my sinful lifestyle.

Romans 1:29-31 gives us a glimpse of where unthankful people are headed:

• Unrighteousness: mistreating and acting unjustly toward God and mankind

• Fornication: having sexual relations before marriage. We live in a day when people from all cultures are shacking up, having sex, and not caring whether they are married or not. Let me just say this as kindly as I can: you are deceived! You will be judged! You will not get away with it.

• Wickedness: not caring what anyone says or feels; doing whatever they want, when they want, and where they want.

• Covetousness: a deep and continual craving for material things instead of God.

• Maliciousness: a heart completely turned over to evil.

• Full of envy: going beyond jealousy it makes a person angry, holding a grudge when he does not have what belongs to another person, including honor, recognition, or position.

• Murder: taking the life of another.

• Debate: strife, discord, contention, fighting, struggling and constant quarreling with others.

• Deceit: misleading, twisting the truth or giving a false impression in order to get his own way.

• Malignity: looking for the worst in other people, always running them into the dirt.

• Whisperers: talking behind another person's back, tearing down their reputation.

• Backbiters: loud gossipers who don't mind at all when they hurt other people.

• Haters of God: wanting to be the god of his own life, doing his own thing as he wishes.

• Despiteful: attacking others in a verbal and sometimes physical way to show he is in control.

• Proud: continually comparing himself with others, holding his head high and showing off.

• Boasters: always trying to impress others by boasting in what he has and can do.

• Inventers of Evil: tired of his old sinful ways he is constantly seeking out new ways to feel good about himself.

• Disobedient to Parents: This does not mean that a child is chained to his parents for the rest of his life and has to do everything exactly as they do. This is talking about a much greater problem. It means that the child does not have any love, respect, or honor for his parents. He becomes nasty and uncaring toward them.

• Without Understanding: ignoring experience, refusing to learn, and acting foolishly.

• Covenant Breakers: Breaking promises, being untrustworthy and undependable, and lying easily.

• Without Natural Affection: lacking affection and love for others; treating others as tools for his own use and benefit, pleasure, and purposes.

• Implacable: refusing to make peace and constantly disagreeing with others.

• Unmerciful: constantly craving to satisfy his own pleasure, even if it means the hurt or death of others. Sadly, the Bible says in verse 32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

When does all this chaotic craziness start happening in a person’s life?

When a person stops giving God the glory and being thankful!

The next time you pray to God, consider beginning with a thank you for all He has done in your life. Far too often we take our health, warm house, food, friends, family, and jobs, for granted. We forget that God gave us everything we have.

Those who are thankful to God and others are also more positive, less depressed, and easier to hang around with.

— Joe Keim

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