Seven Attributes of Thankfulness and Unthankfulness
Christians should nurture an attitude of gratitude towards God within themselves (Col. 3:17; 1Thess. 5:18; 1Tim. 2:1-4). The following is a comparison of a good Christian mind-set of thankfulness, with a bad Christian mind-set of unthankfulness.
1. Thankful Christians will remember where they came from (Rom. 5:8; 1Cor. 6:11, 21).
2. Thankful Christians will study God's written word in order to be approved (1Cor. 3:10-15; 2Tim. 2:15) by Him.
3. Thankful Christians will completely trust God regardless of their circumstances (2Cor. 12:8-10; Phil. 4:11-12).
4. Thankful Christians will want to serve God out of gratitude. They will regularly engage in the ministries of evangelism and edification (1Tim. 2:4) for His glory.
5. Thankful Christians are are quick to forgive others (Eph. 4:31-32). Understandably, certain types of
transgressions will require adjustments in the relationship, but forgiveness should always be in the equation.
6. Thankful Christians respect and make the most of the God-given time that they have here on earth (Eph. 5:15-18; Col. 4:5-6). These Christians strive to lead balanced lives (e.g., family time, ministry work, secular work, charitable activities and leisure time).
7. Thankful Christians are "cheerful givers" to worthy Christian ministries and missions. Once they determine the worthiness of a ministry, they will cheerfully give some of their time, talents and resources (1Cor. 2:15; 2Cor. 9:7; Titus 2:7-8).
1. Unthankful Christians take their gift of Salvation for granted (Rom. 6:1-2,15).
2. Unthankful Christians neglect God's written word and they allow the world, their carnal flesh and the Devil to direct their thoughts, words and actions (Rom. 12:2; 1Cor. 3:1-3; Eph. 4:27).
3. Unthankful Christians will look inwards and outwards but not upwards. These individuals generally evaluate their relationship with God by their feelings and their circumstances, not His revealed written truth alone (Rom. 5:1-5).
4. Unthankful Christians do not care about ministry work. On the contrary, their lives suggest that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:17-19).
5. Unthankful Christians will frequently remain angry with someone by revisiting a real or imagined offense. These carnal Christians will not permantly overlook an offense (Phil. 3:13-14).
6. Unthankful Christians are often lazy and disengaged, their top priority is self. They seldom, if ever, make time for important things like family and ministry work (2Thess. 3:10-12; 1Tim. 5:8). As far as eternity is concerned, the only things that these carnal Christians will end up with in eternity are empty hands (1Cor. 3:12-15).
7. Unthankful Christians are stingy with their time, talents and resources. They have no inclination to support even the most worthy ministries or mission works (2Cor. 9:6).