Ungratefulness: A Biblical Sin Or Not?

The Bible has a lot to say about gratitude and a lack thereof. According to the Bible, God designed humans to thrive when humble, moral, and thankful, and to be incapable of worshipping Him when arrogant, immoral, and ungrateful. Ingratitude is considered a sin with severe repercussions, and is listed alongside idolatry, homosexuality, and rebellion in Romans 1:18–32. The Bible also mentions several instances of ungratefulness, such as when the Israelites complained about the lack of food and water after being freed from slavery in Egypt, and when only one of the ten lepers Jesus healed returned to thank him.

Ungratefulness is a sin with severe repercussions

The Bible is clear that ingratitude, or ungratefulness, is a sin with severe repercussions. In Romans 1:18–32, a detailed description of the downfall of a person or society is given, and alongside idolatry, homosexuality, and rebellion is listed unthankfulness. Verse 21 says, "Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him." This tells us that God takes gratefulness—and ungratefulness—seriously.

When we are arrogant, immoral, and ungrateful, we cannot have fellowship with God, nor can we experience all it means to be created in His image. God demands that His children overflow with thanksgiving, and thankfulness is central to being a follower of Jesus Christ. Ungratefulness, on the other hand, is a sin and the root of other sins. It is a rejection of God as Creator and Ruler, and of God as the giver of life and every blessing.

The Bible gives several examples of the repercussions of ungratefulness. One example is when the Israelites traveled through the wilderness after being released from slavery in Egypt. They complained about the lack of food and expressed disdain for the manna God provided. God responded with severe consequences, sending fiery serpents among the people, and many died. The Israelites repented, but God did not take away the serpents. Instead, He made a way for the people to survive the bites, instructing Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole so that everyone who was bitten and saw it would live.

Another example is when Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks. Jesus remarked to His followers, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" highlighting the ingratitude of the other nine.

The Bible also states that ingratitude leads to a closed heart and a debased mind, doing what ought not to be done. When we refuse to be thankful, we grow hard-hearted and proud, taking God's gifts for granted and becoming our own gods.

In Second Timothy 3:2, ingratitude is described as a characteristic of people in the last days. When pride and self-rule become fashionable, the human heart has no one to thank, and we become convinced of our own supremacy.

Therefore, Christians are instructed to give thanks always and for everything, in all circumstances, as all we are and all we have is a gift from God.

Ingratitude is a rejection of God

The Bible makes it clear that ingratitude is a sin with severe repercussions. In Romans 1:21, it is listed alongside idolatry, homosexuality, and rebellion as an offence that provokes God to anger. The Bible also provides examples of the consequences of ingratitude, such as in Numbers 21 where the Israelites' ungrateful attitude resulted in God sending fiery serpents among them.

Ingratitude is often a symptom of a larger problem, such as covetousness, anger, bitterness, or pride. These sins arise when we lose sight of God and put the focus on ourselves. We start to believe that everything we have is a result of our own efforts rather than God's provision. This leads to a sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction, where we are never content with what we have and always want more.

To combat ingratitude, we must actively cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving. We should give thanks to God for all that He has given us and recognise that everything we have is a gift from Him. This shift in perspective can bring peace and contentment, replacing the negative feelings that arise from a lack of gratitude.

Gratitude is an essential aspect of our relationship with God. When we are grateful, we are acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness in our lives. It is an expression of our faith and trust in Him as our Creator and Provider. By giving thanks, we are worshipping God and honouring Him for who He is and what He has done.

Therefore, ingratitude is not just a minor issue but a serious sin that can hinder our fellowship with God and lead us away from Him. It is only through a grateful heart that we can truly experience all that it means to be created in the image of God.

Ungratefulness and pride go hand in hand

The Bible has a lot to say about gratitude and its absence. According to the Bible, God designed humans to thrive when humble, moral, and thankful, and to falter when arrogant, immoral, and ungrateful. A lack of gratitude is considered a sin, and it is said to be the root of other sins.

In Romans 1:18–3:20, Paul delivers a sweeping and comprehensive detailing of human sin and God's condemnation. He states that all have sinned and that no shade of sin is left out. At the root of it all, however, is humanity's failure to honor God and give Him thanks (1:21). This is backed up by Jeremiah Burroughs, who writes, "Worship is not only doing what pleases God, but also being pleased with what God does."

Ungratefulness and pride are closely linked. Pride is considered a sin that separates us from God, and it can lead to other sins, such as envy, anger, and dishonesty. It can blind us to our faults, make us resistant to correction, and create a false sense of self-sufficiency. The Bible offers several examples of the consequences of pride, such as the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, whose pride in his accomplishments led to his downfall and subsequent humbling by God.

Jesus exemplifies humility, teaching that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Embracing humility allows us to align with God's will and experience His grace. By letting go of pride, we open ourselves to growth, healing, and deeper relationships with God and others.

The Bible also provides examples of the value God places on thankfulness. In Luke 17:12–19, Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank him. The Bible specifically mentions that the thankful leper was a Samaritan, highlighting that people of all backgrounds could reach God's heart. God notices those who thank Him and is disappointed by those who do not.

Ingratitude is considered a rejection of God as the Creator and Ruler of all things, and as the giver of life and blessings. It can lead to a hard-hearted and proud mindset, where we take God's gifts for granted and become our own gods. This is in direct opposition to God's desire for worship and gratitude.

Therefore, ungratefulness and pride are interconnected and can lead to a separation from God and an inability to worship and follow His will.

God responds to ungratefulness with consequences

The Bible makes it clear that God values gratitude and that ingratitude is a sin with severe repercussions. In fact, ungratefulness is considered the root of other sins. When people are ungrateful, they are unable to worship God and cannot be in fellowship with Him. They also fail to acknowledge God and recognise that all they have is a gift from Him. This leads to a hardening of the heart and a turning away from God, with far-reaching consequences.

The Bible gives several examples of God responding to ungratefulness with consequences. One such instance is when the Israelites were travelling through the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt. Despite God providing for their needs, they complained about the lack of food and expressed disdain for the manna He provided. In response to their ungrateful attitude, God sent fiery serpents among them, and many people died (Numbers 21:4–8). Another example is when Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks (Luke 17:12–19). Jesus highlighted the ingratitude of the other nine to warn His followers against such an attitude.

Romans 1:18–32 gives a detailed description of the downfall of a person or society due to ungratefulness. It lists unthankfulness alongside idolatry, homosexuality, and rebellion. Verse 21 says, "Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him." This shows that God takes ingratitude seriously and that it can lead to a rejection of Him as the Creator and Ruler. When people are ungrateful, they become convinced of their own supremacy and consider their achievements and possessions as solely due to their own efforts. This leads to pride and self-rule, with no one to thank.

The Bible emphasises the importance of gratitude and gives repeated commands about being thankful. It calls people to "give thanks" more than twenty-five times. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." By cultivating a grateful heart, believers can guard themselves against idolatry and pride.

The Bible calls people to give thanks more than 25 times

The concept of ingratitude, or being ungrateful, is not directly addressed in the Bible with the term "ungreatfell." However, the Bible has a lot to say about gratitude and giving thanks, and it is clear that God values a grateful heart. When examining the scriptures, it becomes evident that the Bible calls people to give thanks on numerous occasions. In fact, the phrase "give thanks" appears more than 25 times throughout the Bible, and that's not including the many other verses that encourage gratitude and a thankful spirit.

In Psalm 107:1 (NIV), it says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." This verse sets the tone for the entire Bible, reminding us of God's enduring love and calling us to express our gratitude. Similarly, Psalm 95:2 invites us to "come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." This verse encourages us to express our thanks through worship and music, recognizing the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul often reminds us of the importance of gratitude. In Colossians 3:15 (NIV), he writes, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Here, Paul links a grateful heart with peace, indicating that gratitude contributes to a calm and contented spirit. Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This verse encourages us to maintain a posture of gratitude, regardless of our circumstances.

The book of Psalms is particularly rich in verses about gratitude. For instance, Psalm 100:4 advises, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." This verse paints a picture of approaching God with a thankful heart, recognizing all the blessings He has given us. Additionally, Psalm 118:1 (NIV) says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever," echoing the sentiment found throughout the Bible that God's love and goodness are consistent reasons for our gratitude.

In conclusion, while the term "ungreatfell" may not appear in the Bible, the scriptures are replete with calls to give thanks and express gratitude. With more than 25 references to giving thanks, the Bible emphasizes the importance of cultivating a grateful heart. This attitude of gratitude allows us to recognize God's provision, blessings, and love in our lives and helps us maintain a proper perspective, even during challenging times. So, while ingratitude may not be explicitly labeled as a sin, the Bible's consistent emphasis on gratitude suggests that a failure to give thanks could certainly be considered a deviation from God's ideal for our lives.

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