For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3:2 NKJV

Imagine a world where no one says thank you. Sounds pretty bleak, right? Well, the Apostle Paul warns us about just such a scenario in his second letter to Timothy, where he describes a society slipping into selfishness and ingratitude. But what’s really behind his warning, and why should we care about being thankful?

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Paul lists a bunch of negative traits like loving money, bragging, and being proud. But he puts a spotlight on being unthankful, tagging it as a sign of even deeper troubles. Being ungrateful isn’t just about skipping a polite “thank you.” It’s about a mindset that forgets to acknowledge the good around us, especially the good things that come from others and from God.

Paul makes a big deal about this in Romans 1:21. He points out that when people knew who God was but didn’t honor or thank Him, their thinking went haywire, and their hearts followed right behind. This shows us that forgetting to say thanks can lead us down a path far from wisdom and goodness.

It’s a bit shocking but true: even people who are part of a church can be caught up in this thanklessness, as Paul notes in 2 Timothy 3:2. This attitude creates a sense of entitlement—people start believing they deserve all the good things they receive and see no reason to express gratitude. This not only strains personal relationships but also weakens their spiritual connection.

But Paul doesn’t just diagnose the problem; he offers a solution. In Ephesians 5:20, he instructs us to always be thankful for everything, which is the antidote to ingratitude. By practicing gratitude, we can counteract selfishness and keep our hearts tuned to the generosity of God.

In Luke 6:35, we see God’s own example—He is kind even to those who are ungrateful and wicked. This is a call for us to extend the same grace and kindness, regardless of how others treat us. By doing so, we not only make our own lives better but also bring a little more light into the world.

So, why does gratitude really matter? It’s more than just good manners—it’s a powerful tool that keeps our hearts and minds open, connects us with others, and aligns us with the generous heart of God. It keeps us from becoming isolated and cynical in a world that often focuses on the negative. Each time we say thank you, we’re not just being polite—we’re recognizing the web of generosity that supports us all. Let’s make gratitude a daily habit and watch how it transforms our perspective and our relationships. It’s a simple step, but it might just be one of the most important ones we can take.

—Josh Mullins—

The Gladiator’s Mask: Hiding The Face of Hurt https://a.co/d/bp53eYp

Fractured Reflections: Stories of Love, Lies, and Liberation https://a.co/d/3ji6vbg

Forever Us: Gilly and Nora https://a.co/d/i3eGhGw

Forever Us: Gilly y Nora (Spanish Edition) https://a.co/d/iHBZSfG