Topical Encyclopedia
Gratitude, a profound and essential theme throughout the Bible, is the expression of thankfulness and appreciation towards God and others. It is a response to the recognition of God's grace, mercy, and blessings in one's life. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a heart of gratitude, which is both a command and a natural response to God's goodness.
Old Testament FoundationsIn the Old Testament, gratitude is often expressed through worship, offerings, and psalms. The Israelites were instructed to remember and give thanks for God's deliverance and provision. In
Deuteronomy 8:10, Moses commands the people, "When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land He has given you." This verse highlights the importance of acknowledging God's gifts and expressing gratitude.
The Psalms are replete with expressions of thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4-5 states, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations." Here, gratitude is intertwined with worship, recognizing God's enduring love and faithfulness.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, gratitude is further emphasized as a hallmark of Christian living. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to be thankful. In
1 Thessalonians 5:18 , he writes, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This instruction underscores the importance of maintaining a grateful heart regardless of life's situations, trusting in God's sovereign plan.
Paul also links gratitude with peace and contentment. In
Philippians 4:6-7 , he advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Gratitude, expressed through prayer, is a means to experience God's peace.
Gratitude in PracticeGratitude is not merely an internal feeling but is to be expressed outwardly through actions and words.
Colossians 3:17 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 verse calls believers to integrate gratitude into every aspect of life, reflecting a heart transformed by Christ.
The practice of gratitude also involves recognizing and appreciating the contributions of others. In
Philippians 1:3 , Paul expresses his gratitude for fellow believers, saying, "I thank my God every time I remember you." This acknowledgment fosters community and strengthens relationships within the body of Christ.
Spiritual SignificanceGratitude is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and maturity. It shifts focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, fostering humility and dependence on God. A grateful heart is more attuned to God's presence and work in the world, leading to a deeper relationship with Him.
Moreover, gratitude is a powerful testimony to others. In a world often marked by discontent and ingratitude, a believer's thankful attitude can be a compelling witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. As Christians express gratitude, they reflect the character of Christ and point others to the source of all blessings.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.
Greek
2169. eucharistia -- thankfulness, giving of thanks... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eucharistia Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah) Short Definition: thankfulness,
gratitude Definition:
...5485. charis -- grace, kindness
... ece) Short Definition: grace, favor, kindness Definition: (a) grace, as a gift or
blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c)gratitude, thanks, (d...
2168. eucharisteo -- to be thankful
... give thanks. From eucharistos; to be grateful, ie (actively) to expressgratitude
(towards); specially, to say grace at a meal -- (give) thank(-ful, -s)....
Library
Li.Gratitude.
... LI.GRATITUDE. 14th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke 17:18. "There are not found
that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."....
Gratitude and Love to God
...Gratitude and Love to God. All are indebted much to thee, But I far more than all,....
Daily, with thy boundless love. What bonds ofgratitude I feel....
OfGratitude
... OFGRATITUDE. Inward devotion often brings forthgratitude; for none can
thank and praise God so well as the inward and devout man....
David'sGratitude
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL DAVID'SGRATITUDE. 'Then went king David in, and
sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God?...
Whether the Repayment ofGratitude Should Surpass the Favor...
... OF THANKFULNESS ORGRATITUDE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the repayment ofgratitude
should surpass the favor received? Objection 1: It...
Gratitude. LM
... 263Gratitude. LM. God Wills Our Holiness. (679) He wills that I should holy
be; That holiness I long to feel; That full divine conformity...
OfGratitude for the Grace of God
... THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE CHAPTER X Ofgratitude for
the Grace of God. Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour?...
Of Thankfulness orGratitude (Six Articles)
... OF THANKFULNESS ORGRATITUDE (SIX ARTICLES). We must now consider thankfulness
orgratitude, and ingratitude. Concerning thankfulness...
Gratitude for Redemption. --Ps. cxvi.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CXXIII.Gratitude for Redemption."Ps. cxvi.... James Montgomery.
Gratitude for Redemption."Psalm 116.p>. I love the Lord;"He lent an ear,....
Knowledge. Worship.Gratitude.
... Knowledge. Worship.Gratitude. A Sermon (No.1763). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,.... If
they prospered, they were "lucky"; this was instead ofgratitude to God....
Thesaurus
Gratitude (6 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Gratitude (6 Occurrences). Acts 24:3 in every instance
and in every place we accept them with profound
gratitude. (WEY RSV NIV).
...Lips (199 Occurrences)
... Their worship should consist not of meaningless dumb ritual, but of "words"-hymns
and prayers, expressive of realgratitude and of actual needs-or perhaps...
Thank (68 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A expression ofgratitude; an acknowledgment expressive of a sense of favor
or kindness received; obligation, claim, or desert, orgratitude; -- now...
Calves (34 Occurrences)
... Their worship should consist not of meaningless dumb ritual, but of "words"-hymns
and prayers, expressive of realgratitude and of actual needs-or perhaps...
Grace (277 Occurrences)
... in favor with God and men." (d) As the complement to this, charis denotes the emotion
awakened in the recipient of such favor, ie "gratitude." So Luke 17:9...
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... At once he returned to Samaria, testified hisgratitude by the offer of large gifts
to the prophet, confessed his faith in Elisha's God, and sought leave to...
Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... Ingratitude for this deliverance, forty years after this, the men of Jabesh-Gilead
took down the bodies of Saul and of his three sons from the walls of Beth...
Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... Ingratitude for this deliverance, forty years after this, the men of Jabesh-Gilead
took down the bodies of Saul and of his three sons from the walls of Beth...
Mary (50 Occurrences)
... for the first time noticed in Luke 8:3 as one of the women who "ministered to Christ
of their substance." Their motive was that ofgratitude for deliverances...
Abel (22 Occurrences)
... 2. A Worshipper: "In process of time," the two brothers came in a solemn manner
to sacrifice unto Yahweh, in order to express theirgratitude to Him whose...
Resources
What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about ingratitude/unthankfulness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgGratitude: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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