Gratitude for Blessings Received.
By D. T. Bourdeau
INGRATITUDE is a sin which is so shameful that but few will acknowledge themselves guilty of it; yet all are more or less in danger of being ungrateful toward God and man. But ingratitude toward God is the worse kind of ingratitude, on the principle that the greater the being against whom we sin, the greater the sin that is committed. Ingratitude grows out of selfishness, which makes men think that they are of such importance that they deserve all the benefits that are bestowed upon them, and which, if their minds are not met, leads them to overlook blessings received. If we were for one moment deprived of all the favors that we receive, then would we have a realizing sense of the rich and numerous blessings that we daily enjoy at the hand of God, and be more inclined to “praise God from whom all blessings flow.” It is a moral duty to express gratitude to our benefactors. Justice demands that we should do this. Whatever is worth giving is worth acknowledging, and being thankful for. To say, Thank you, even for small favors, is cheap, but very becoming. But we should express gratitude in deed, as well as in word. And the more tokens of gratitude cost us, the more do they express thankfulness for and appreciation of blessings received. Therefore if we are to judge of the gratitude of some by their stinted offerings, we must conclude that it is small indeed. David’s example in giving is worthy of imitation. He says, “Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” 2 Sam. 24: 24. Under the old dispensation, thank-offerings were instituted to give God’s people an opportunity to cultivate gratitude, and these were often very expensive. God’s people were encouraged to present these for temporal and spiritual blessings. And have we not blessings to be thankful for under this dispensation? Has not God blessed us with his truth, even with present truth, and also with numerous temporal blessings? And shall we render nothing to God for all his benefits? Shall we be stinted and small in our offerings to advance his cause? God forbid. Doubtless there are many who read these lines who have been unexpectedly blessed with additions to their property. God has special claims upon such. They are not their own. They are but stewards over that which is another’s. If we are so disposed, we can, whether rich or poor, apply all the means that we have to our own use and convenience at the neglect of God and his cause, become more and more selfish, and wither spiritually. Every additional blessing brings with it additional calls for gratitude, and additional responsibilities, and unless we do more for God as he does more for us, we cannot expect to prosper in him. Oh! that we might all cultivate the feelings that David had when, having prepared with all his might for the house of his God, he said, “Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chron. 29: 10-14. Thank God that all the sacrifices for the truth were not made at the start of the third message, but that as the work advances, those receiving the truth may unite with those who have long borne the burden and heat of the day, in manifesting a grateful appreciation of God’s mercies, by presenting thank-offerings for the furtherance of the different branches of the cause. In conclusion, we would remind the readers of the REVIEW that one way to express our gratitude to God for some of his mercies, at least, is to pay up our subscriptions for our good periodicals. And if we would receive more blessings at the hand of God, let us manifest an appreciation of those which we already enjoy. D. T. BOURDEAU.