NOVEMBER 16, 2024
Topic: “WHAT IS INGRATITUDE?”
Text: LUKE 17:17
Memory Verse: “And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” – Luke 17:17.
Chorus: I am grateful O Lord /2x, for all you have done for me, Hallelujah, I am grateful O Lord
In the next two weeks, we will be looking at the dangers of ingratitude. To aid our proper understanding of the issue of ingratitude, we will look at the WHAT and WHY and the dangers of being ungrateful to God for the mercies we have received from Him.
The online Webster dictionary defines “ingratitude” as ‘forgetfulness of, or poor return for kindness’ Synonyms of the word include being ungrateful or thankless.
Going by this definition, ingratitude can be an act of omission and/or commission i.e., a deliberate act or otherwise. While showing gratitude improves bonding and helps to grow relationships and foster new alliances, ingratitude can have profound effects on individuals and organizations and may lead to strained relationships.
Jesus asked a rhetoric question in today’s passage: but where are the nine? The nine were ungrateful and showed a poor return for kindness. I believe Jesus was not asking for their physical location because He knows all things but rather He was asking why they were not in their rightful place.
Human beings are unable to meet all their own needs and as such would always need a favor, kindness, help from another. The response to such kindness shows a window to the receiver’s heart and to some extent determines the sustainability of such favor or kindness.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be where I need to be always, Amen.