Thankfulness and gratitude are key themes throughout the Bible. God desires that His people cultivate grateful hearts and regularly give thanks for all that He has done. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical teachings on thankfulness and gratitude:
1. We should give thanks to God for who He is
As our Creator and Sustainer, God is the ultimate source of all good things (James 1:17). Throughout the Psalms, we are exhorted to praise and thank God for His love, faithfulness, righteousness, mercy, and salvation (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 136:1). Giving thanks is a way we acknowledge and worship God for His character and deeds.
2. We should give thanks for all of God’s blessings
Everything we have comes from God’s hand. He is the one who gives us life, abilities, possessions, family, and daily provisions (Deuteronomy 8:18, James 1:17). The Bible instructs us to thank Him for all His benefits (Psalm 103:2), including basic necessities like food (John 6:11, 1 Timothy 4:3-4), shelter (Colossians 3:17), and clothing (1 Timothy 6:8). We are to live lives overflowing with gratitude for His gifts.
3. Give thanks in all circumstances
We are called to give thanks not only when things go well but at all times, even in the midst of trials (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Hardships are used by God to refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7), keeping us dependent on Him. Giving thanks during difficult times demonstrates trust in God’s sovereignty and future deliverance.
4. Give thanks before requests
Bringing our requests to God with thanksgiving demonstrates humility and faith (Philippians 4:6). It honors Him as Provider when we thank Him before asking for anything. Jesus gave thanks before feeding the 5,000 (John 6:11) and at the Last Supper (Luke 22:17-19), showing the importance of thanking God even for daily bread.
5. Give thanks in everything
We are even instructed to give thanks “in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), meaning there is never a circumstance without something to be grateful for. God uses all situations for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28), even hardships. Giving thanks in everything shows we believe God is working to accomplish His good purposes.
6. Give thanks for each other
Not only are we to thank God but also to regularly give thanks for fellow believers. Paul often expressed thanksgiving for those who had blessed and served him (1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Thanking others for their generosity and support encourages unity in the Body of Christ.
7. Thanksgiving should be a regular discipline
Setting aside regular times for thanksgiving is important, as modeled by Daniel (Daniel 6:10). The Psalms were Israel’s “thanksgiving hymns,” implying thanksgiving should be built into corporate worship. Paul instructs us to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
8. Lack of thankfulness is a sign of sin and pride
Ungrateful attitudes often stem from sinful hearts. The Israelites failed to thank God after entering the Promised Land (Nehemiah 9). Not giving God glory and thanks is a sign of prideful self-sufficiency (Romans 1:21). Complaining and grumbling over God’s provisions led to judgment for the Israelites (Numbers 11:1, Exodus 16:2-3).
9. Thanksgiving glorifies God
Giving thanks magnifies God’s greatness, sovereignty, and provision. The Psalms burst with thanksgivings that glorify Him. Jesus gave thanks at the tomb of Lazarus, bringing glory to God (John 11:41-42). Our gratitude points others toward the One who provides every good thing.
10. With thankfulness comes joy
Thanksgiving and joy are closely linked throughout the Bible. The festival of Sukkot was called the “feast of rejoicing.” The Psalms proclaim thanksgiving produces joy in the heart (Psalm 97:12). Paul encourages us to overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7), which leads to joy in the Lord (Philippians 4:4).
In summary, the Bible commands God’s people to live with an attitude of perpetual thankfulness. We are to give thanks for all of God’s blessings, in all circumstances, as a regular discipline. Thanklessness is a sign of sin and pride, while gratitude brings glory to God and leads to great joy. As we cultivate grateful hearts, we become more tuned into the abundance of God’s gifts around us.
11. Old Testament Examples of Thankfulness
Here are some examples of thankfulness and gratitude in the Old Testament:
- After the crossing of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving (Exodus 15).
- David frequently wrote Psalms expressing thanksgiving to God (Psalm 9, 30, 54).
- Daniel faithfully prayed and gave thanks to God three times a day, even under threat of death (Daniel 6:10).
- The Levites led the people to “worship and give thanks” at the dedication of the rebuilt Jerusalem wall (Nehemiah 12:31-40).
- Upon recovering from leprosy, the Samaritan leper was commended by Jesus for returning to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19).
- The Psalms contain many exhortations to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 106, 107, 118, 136).
12. New Testament Examples of Thankfulness
Here are some examples of thankfulness in the New Testament:
- Jesus gave thanks at the Last Supper (Luke 22:17-19) and before feeding the 5,000 (John 6:11).
- Paul urged the Thessalonians and Colossians to abound in thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 2:7).
- Paul frequently expressed thanksgiving in his letters for those who had blessed and served him (1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3).
- Jesus healed 10 lepers but only the Samaritan leper returned to give Him thanks (Luke 17:11-19).
- The disciples were continually in the temple “praising and blessing God” after Jesus’ ascension (Luke 24:53).
- Paul and Silas sang hymns of thanks to God after being miraculously freed from prison (Acts 16:25).
13. Importance of Cultivating Thankfulness
Here are some reasons why it is so important for Christians to intentionally cultivate thankfulness:
- Thankfulness glorifies God and honors Him as the Giver of every good gift (Psalm 50:23).
- It keeps our focus on God rather than earthly circumstances (Colossians 3:2).
- A grateful heart leads to joy in the Lord, which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
- Thankfulness helps guard against sinful attitudes of greed, covetousness, and pride.
- It is God’s will for us, regardless of circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Gratitude keeps us mindful of previous faithfulness, giving hope for the future.
- It strengthens our faith by reminding us of God’s past provision and deliverance.
- Thanking God in all situations demonstrates trust in His sovereignty.
- It reminds us of blessings we overlook and keeps our perspective balanced.
14. How to Grow in Thankfulness
The Bible gives many practical tips for how to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Here are some ways to grow in thankfulness:
- Start a gratitude journal or list to keep track of daily blessings.
- Set aside time each day to offer thanks and praise to God.
- Pray through passages like the Psalms that model thanksgiving.
- Sing hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude as you go about your day.
- Thank God before meals and at the close of each day.
- Share what you’re thankful for with others at church, home, and work.
- Write thank you notes to express gratitude for gifts, kind acts, or how someone has blessed you.
- Replace negative thoughts and complaints with thankfulness.
- Thank God in advance for how He will use hardships for good.
- Use Scripture memory and meditation to remind yourself of God’s blessings.
15. What Happens When We Lack Gratitude?
According to the Bible, a lack of gratitude has serious consequences. Here are some things that can happen when we fail to give thanks:
- We become arrogant and self-centered, thinking we don’t need God or others (Romans 1:21).
- Ungrateful attitudes lead to complaining, discontentment, and dissatisfaction.
- Not thanking God is essentially the same as not honoring and worshiping Him.
- We start to believe life owes us something and develop a sense of entitlement.
- We forget God’s grace and provision in the past and become afraid about the future.
- Not seeing blessings leads to anxiety, frustration, and joylessness.
- We rob God of the thanksgiving and glory He deserves (Romans 1:21).
- Lack of gratitude was part of what led to unbelief and rebellion in ancient Israel.
16. How to Express Gratitude to God
The Bible encourages many creative ways to express our thankfulness to God. Here are some suggestions:
- Start your prayers with thanksgiving for who God is and how He has blessed you (Psalm 100:4).
- Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with joy and thankfulness to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19-20).
- Write your own psalm of thanksgiving like David did so often in the book of Psalms.
- Keep a gratitude journal listing God’s gifts and His answers to prayer.
- Thank God throughout the day – when you wake up, at mealtimes, during your commute, before bed, etc.
- Lift your hands in worship and praise, thanking Him for His many blessings.
- Share publicly in church or on social media how God has blessed you.
- Do a craft, poem, or art project as an offering of thanks to God.
- Set aside a special time of worship and thanksgiving with music and Scripture.
17. How to Express Gratitude to Others
Gratitude in relationships strengthens bonds and encourages others. Some ideas for thanking others include:
- Write handwritten thank you notes when someone blesses you.
- Send a text, email, or card just to say thanks for simple acts of kindness.
- Post on social media expressing appreciation for friends and family.
- Tell others face-to-face how much you appreciate them.
- Make a phone call instead of just texting to express gratitude.
- Celebrate and honor people on special occasions or publicly recognize their service.
- Do an act of service in return to show your gratitude.
- Cook a meal, give a small gift, or invite someone out as a thank you.
- Be specific when thanking others about what you appreciate.
18. Hindrances to Thankfulness
There are a number of attitudes and circumstances that can hinder gratitude. Being aware of these can help us cultivate thankfulness.
- Difficult circumstances – Our gratitude is tested when we face trials (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Entitlement – When we think we deserve things, we stop being grateful.
- Self-sufficiency – Pride and independence from God lead to thanklessness (Romans 1:21).
- Abundance – Prosperity and abundance often diminish our gratitude (Deuteronomy 8:10-14).
- Busyness – Chaotic schedules crowd out time for thanksgiving.
- Forgetfulness – We easily forget to thank God for past blessings and provision.
- Taking for granted – Familiarity with routine blessings causes us to overlook them.
- Spiritual warfare – The devil seeks to stir up grumbling rather than gratitude (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Being alert to these hindrances allows us to intentionally fight against them with gratitude and praise.
19. Benefits of Gratitude for Mental and Physical Health
A growing body of research reveals many positive effects of gratitude on mental and physical well-being. Here are some of the benefits:
- Gratitude reduces anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in clinical studies.
- It improves self-esteem and emotional resilience to life’s stressors and trials.
- Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, and optimism.
- Practicing gratitude strengthens relationships by making people feel valued and appreciated.
- It improves sleep quality, especially if gratitude is expressed before bedtime.
- Gratitude boosts the immune system and contributes to overall physical health.
- It motivates people to exercise more, eat healthier, and engage in other health-conscious behaviors.
- Elderly individuals who regularly practice gratitude enjoy greater well-being and less loneliness.
- It activates regions of the brain associated with moral cognition, reward, and value judgment.
The biblical command to be thankful now has strong scientific support for its ability to powerfully transform our minds and bodies.
20. How to Teach Children Gratitude
Parents play a key role in teaching children gratitude from a young age. Here are some tips:
- Model gratitude in your own words and actions. Children learn most by your example.
- Pray together, giving thanks to God before meals, bedtime, etc.
- Discuss things you are grateful for throughout the day and ask about their blessings.
- Make thank you notes, cards, or pictures for people who bless them.
- Assign age-appropriate chores and remind them to thank those who cooked, cleaned, etc.
- Limit and withhold entitlements that breed ingratitude like abundant toys and treats.
- Read Bible stories and passages about gratitude like the ten lepers.
- Teach them to thank God even when disappointed or things don’t go their way.
- Have them thank people face-to-face rather than just a quick text.
- Help them start their own gratitude journal to recognize daily blessings.
Starting young helps kids develop lifelong habits of gratitude that will enrich their lives and faith.
Conclusion
Thankfulness is a virtue woven throughout the Bible. God wants His people to overflow with gratitude for who He is and all He does. Thanking God, both in blessings and trials, brings glory to Him and leads to great joy. Cultivating gratitude should be a regular spiritual practice to combat ingratitude, which destroys spiritual vitality and health. As we grow in giving thanks, our faith is strengthened and others around us are enriched as well.