Ingratitude, the lack of thankfulness or appreciation, is a condition of the heart that is frequently addressed in the Bible. It is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue, such as pride or forgetfulness of God's blessings. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how believers should respond to ingratitude, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faithfulness in the face of such attitudes.

Biblical Examples of Ingratitude

One of the most poignant examples of ingratitude in the Bible is found in the account of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna from heaven, the Israelites frequently complained and expressed dissatisfaction (Exodus 16:2-3, Numbers 14:2-4). Their ingratitude was met with God's continued faithfulness, as He provided for their needs and guided them toward the Promised Land.

In the New Testament, Jesus encounters ingratitude in the account of the ten lepers. After healing them, only one returned to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19). Jesus highlights the ingratitude of the other nine, yet He remains faithful in His mission and continues to offer grace and healing to those in need.

Faithfulness as a Response

The Bible calls believers to respond to ingratitude with faithfulness, reflecting the character of God Himself. In 2 Timothy 2:13, it is written, "if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." This verse underscores the unwavering nature of God's faithfulness, serving as a model for how Christians should respond to others, even when faced with ingratitude.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spirit of thankfulness and faithfulness. In Colossians 3:17, he instructs, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This attitude of gratitude and faithfulness is a powerful testimony to the transformative work of Christ in the believer's life.

Practical Applications

1. Prayer and Intercession: When faced with ingratitude, believers are encouraged to pray for those who exhibit such attitudes. Interceding on their behalf can lead to a change of heart and a renewed sense of gratitude.

2. Modeling Gratitude: By consistently expressing thankfulness in their own lives, Christians can set an example for others. This can be a powerful witness to the grace and goodness of God.

3. Perseverance in Good Works: Galatians 6:9 reminds believers, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Faithfulness in serving others, even when met with ingratitude, is a reflection of God's enduring love and commitment to His people.

4. Forgiveness and Grace: Just as God extends grace to the ungrateful, believers are called to forgive and show grace to those who fail to appreciate their efforts. This mirrors the forgiveness that God offers to all through Christ.

Ingratitude, while disheartening, provides an opportunity for believers to demonstrate the faithfulness and love of God. By responding with steadfastness and grace, Christians can reflect the heart of the Gospel and draw others toward a deeper understanding of God's unchanging nature.Genesis 31:38-42
This twenty years have I been with you; your ewes and your she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of your flock have I not eaten.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Life of Mr. James Guthrie.
... is affirmed, upon very good authority, that when he met with his ... the managers had
no small debate what his sentence should be, for ... &c.3. Horrible ingratitude. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 3.htm

Grieving the Holy Spirit
... the way at all, and the Lord would not have met you, if ... reason why we should love
the Spirit and why we should not grieve ... Again, ingratitude tends to grieve him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/grieving the holy spirit.htm

Passion.
... the glad hour when the Master met him in ... an injustice as that men should be eternally ...
those who accomplish less, rewarded with ingratitude, misjudgment, scorn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/chapter vi passion.htm

Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men
... the only people capable of this ingratitude and obstinacy ... the contempt and hatred
which He met with from ... subjection, that whoever acknowledged Him should be put ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvii messiah despised and.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... ourselves on account of our ingratitude; and lifting ... Your prayers should be very
particular, mentioning everything ... all the hindrances you have met in seeking ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

New Uses for Old Trophies
... is too much of the cold silence of ingratitude amongst us ... severe struggles"let us
recollect how Jesus met with us ... Should you ever have to fight the same battle ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/new uses for old trophies.htm

The Tenses
... the story of the good old Puritan who met his son at ... our sins and all our follies,
all our ingratitude and all ... first, some reason in us why God should begin to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 47 1901/the tenses.htm

Prolonged Agony
... of poisonings, of conspiracies, of uniform ingratitude, of perpetual ... They met with
a curt refusal, for by ... to the conspiring prelates that they should be unable ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

The Last visit.
... He was in health when we last met; we little ... when all the memory of Jewish ingratitude
was fresh on ... that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxi the last visit.htm

The Touch of Faith
... way to the ruler's house, Jesus had met, in the ... Such trust should not be passed without
comment. ... By their ingratitude they close their hearts against the grace ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 36 the touch of.htm

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