Ingratitude by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1916

Ingratitude

By G. B. T.

INGRATITUDE is a very grievous sin. It is the exhibition of the greatest selfishness. To receive unmerited favors and kindnesses from friends, and never say, “Thank you,” to make no response from the heart in return, makes one appear as a selfish ingrate, and unworthy of being the recipient of kind words and acts. “Be ye thankful” is an injunction that all should heed.

We are told of a woman who one day rushed into a blazing room when her home was on fire, and rescued her infant daughter. The flames disfigured the mother’s once beautiful features, and through all her remaining life she was a deformed, hideous cripple. The years passed, and the daughter whom she had rescued grew to be a beautiful and talented woman. One day when she was walking with a companion down the street of a large city, she met her poor, deformed, crippled mother. Her companion asked, “Who was that hideous woman?” The daughter, instead of saying that it was her mother and dearest friend, said, “I do not know.”

Such ingratitude shocks all the tender sensibilities of the soul. Yet think of Jesus! To save us from the awful consequences of sin, he suffered ignominy and shame, and went down into the portals of the tomb. Yet many are often ungrateful. He is, among those whom he saved, as one unrecognized. In our lives we deny him. How sad it all is!

But the day is just before us when those who have denied him will be denied before the Father and before the holy angels. Did you ever stop to think what it will mean when we stand at the tribunal of God, in the very presence of the majestic Ruler of all, with all earthly support cut off, in darkness, and without one ray of hope, to have Jesus deny us? That will be a terrible hour for those who through selfish ingratitude have denied the Lord who bought them.

How deeply thankful we should be for all the blessing with which the Lord has surrounded us, and the heart should continually be overflowing with grateful praise to him who died that he might redeem us. G. B. T.