What the Bible Says About Ingratitude
There are many references to ingratitude in the Bible, whereby it is often depicted as a sin, a sign of moral debaseness or wickedness. Ingratitude is seen as a sinful behavior that suggests an absence of godliness or reverence for God. When individuals express ingratitude, they fail to acknowledge God’s generosity and love, thereby denying the goodness inherent in his gifts and blessings. Thus, the Bible encourages gratitude not only as a form of courteous conduct but also as a spiritual obligation.
Why the Bible Stresses Against Ingratitude
The Bible emphasizes the importance of countering ingratitude. Ingratitude can lead to bitterness, resentment, and a hardened heart. It opposes the acts of love, joy, peace, and kindness, which are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, ingratitude may hamper our spiritual growth and interfere with our relationship with God and others. Thus, the Bible urges us to be grateful, not just for material things but for all forms of blessings we receive, including life, health, peace, and salvation.
How the Bible Encourages Gratitude
On multiple occasions, the Bible encourages the act of expressing gratitude as a counter to ingratitude. It guides individuals towards demonstrating thankfulness in every situation. From sharing meals and performing good deeds to singing hymns and praying, the Bible suggests that there are countless ways in which one can express gratitude. The Bible teaches that by maintaining a consistent attitude of thankfulness, individuals can fend off ingratitude and cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.
Who are the Biblical Examples of Ingratitude?
The Bible features narratives of individuals who displayed ingratitude. In many instances, these instances serve as cautionary tales, teaching readers about the repercussions of not valuing God’s blessings. For example, there are stories of rulers who started with humble beginnings and were offered divine help to ascend to power, only to become ungrateful when they were established, forgetting that it was God’s grace that brought them to their position. Through these accounts, the Bible renders clear warnings against ingratitude and reminds believers of the humility, reverence, and gratitude owed to God for His kindness and love.
When Ingratitude is Discussed in the Bible
Ingratitude isn’t only mentioned during times of prosperity in the Bible. Just as importantly, it is brought up during periods of hardship and trials. Even in trying times, the Bible encourages believers to remain thankful and to trust in God, serving as a testament to their faith. The act of thanksgiving in challenging times is not only a form of worship but also a defiance of ingratitude. This grateful attitude, even in hard times, is a testament to unwavering faith and trust in God, making a clear distinction between the faithful and the ungrateful.
Below is the full list of bible verses on ingratitude (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Ingratitude
2 Timothy 3:2
“2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
Related Themes: Selfishness Respecting Your Parents Pride Money Self Seeking
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Related Themes: Complaining Frustration Gratitude Thankfulness Attitude
Luke 17:11-19
“11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Related Themes: Gratitude Gratefulness
Ephesians 5:20
“20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
Related Themes: Thankfulness Gratitude Complaining Negativity
Proverbs 17:13
“13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.”
Genesis 40:23
“23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.”
Luke 17:15-18
“15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”
Hebrews 12:28
“28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
Related Themes: Reverence Gratitude Gratefulness Reverence Worship
Psalm 7:4-5
“4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.”
Romans 1:21
“21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Related Themes: Complaining Arguing Lust Thankfulness Heart
Colossians 3:17
“17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Related Themes: Business Attitude Gratitude Thankfulness Dedication
Colossians 3:15
“15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Related Themes: Peace Attitude Frustration Gratitude Thankfulness
Psalm 38:20
“20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.”
Psalm 100:1-5
“1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Related Themes: Singing Music Joy Gratitude Thankfulness
1 Samuel 25:21
“21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.”
2 Chronicles 24:22
“22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.”
James 1:2-4
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Related Themes: Suffering Joy Perseverance Frustration Complaining
Psalm 23:1-6
“1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Life Hope Omnipotence
1 Corinthians 4:7
“7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
Psalm 35:12-13
“12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”
Related Themes: Vindictiveness
2 Samuel 15:6
“6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
Genesis 31:38-42
“38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“16 Rejoice evermore.17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Related Themes: Complaining Attitude Joy Thankfulness
Jeremiah 18:20-21
“20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.”
Luke 17:11-14
“11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”
Related Themes: Gratitude Gratefulness
Philippians 4:6
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Related Themes: Patience Prayer Loneliness Nervousness Worry
Ecclesiastes 9:15
“15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”
Psalm 109:4
“4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.”
Related Themes: Arguing
Acts 17:10-11
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Omnipotence Frustration Lust
