The Trouble with Ingratitude

“Ingratitude is the primary cause of greed. Ungrateful people are greedy people.”--Anon.

WE live in a culture that constantly whispers, “What you have is not good enough. You deserve better.” This mindset fuels discontent attitude. It feeds the lie that we are somehow being shortchanged in life. But ingratitude isn’t just a harmless attitude—it’s a corrosive mindset that eats away at our joy, our relationships, and even our walk with God.

When we focus only on what we lack, we lose sight of what we already have. Ingratitude distorts how we see ourselves and the world around us. With ungratefulness comes pride. Where one goes, the other walks beside it. Ungrateful people are prideful people.

Instead of resting in God’s blessings, we demand, grumble, compare, and ask for more. This is why God despises ingratitude—because it is not just forgetfulness, it is rebellion against His goodness.

Ingratitude in the Bible

The story of Israel in the wilderness is the clearest picture. God delivered them from slavery, parted the Red Sea, fed them with manna, and yet they murmured, complained, and longed for Egypt. Their thanklessness cost them dearly: an entire generation perished in the wilderness and was denied entry into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:27–30). Ingratitude robbed them of their future!

The Bible repeatedly warns about this dangerous spirit:

⚠️It destroys your future – “Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD… he will tear them down and never build them up again” (Psalm 28:5).

⚠️Blessings turn into curses – “If you do not listen… to honor my name, I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings” (Malachi 2:2–3).

⚠️It diminishes your blessings – Jesus said, “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken away from them” (Mark 4:25).

An ungrateful person can never be satisfied. No matter how much is given, they will only see what is lacking. As someone once said, “Some people don’t see how much you do for them. They only see what you don’t do.”

When we aren’t grateful, we’re in essence saying, “I deserve everything I have.” We make ourselves our own 'god'. This is the height of entitlement.

Ingratitude and the Laodicean Spirit

In Revelation 3:14–22, Jesus rebukes the church of Laodicea for their self-sufficiency: “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” This is the spirit of ingratitude—failing to see that every good thing comes from God. Instead of thanking Him, they became blind, lukewarm, and entitled. Christ warns that unless they repent, He will “spit them out” of His mouth.

The Laodicean church serves as a sobering reminder that ingratitude is not just an attitude problem—it is a spiritual disease that separates us from God.

Choosing Gratitude

Gratitude, on the other hand, is transformative. It shifts our perspective from lack to abundance, from bitterness to joy. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness, reframes our struggles, and realigns our hearts with His goodness. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Gratitude doesn’t ignore hardship—it acknowledges that even in difficulty, God is still working for our good. A grateful heart cannot coexist with greed or bitterness.

How to Handle Ingratitude--

▪️Protect your peace; guard your own heart – Refuse to let other people’s thanklessness make you bitter. Serve unto God, not for human recognition (Colossians 3:23).

▪️Practice the attitude of gratitude – Thank God daily, and express appreciation to others often. Gratitude is contagious.

▪️Pray for perspective – Ask God to open your eyes to His blessings, even the small ones you often overlook.

▪️Reject entitlement – Remember, everything you have is a gift of favor. We deserve nothing—yet God gives us everything we need.

From Bitter to Better

Ingratitude poisons the soul. Gratitude heals it. One leads to wilderness wandering; the other to promised blessing. One closes the heart to God; the other opens it wide to His goodness.

In its essence, ingratitude is a rejection of God. It is a rejection of Him as Creator and Ruler of all things. Let us reject the spirit of ingratitude that plagued Israel in the wilderness and the church in Laodicea.

Every day, every moment, should be filled with thanksgiving. Let us choose gratitude—in every circumstance. For when we give thanks, we not only honor God, but we also transform our hearts from bitter to better.