Gratitude: An emotion from the heart, excited by favor or benefit received; sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness, appreciation. Gratitude is a virtue of the highest excellence, as it implies a feeling and generous heart, and a proper sense of duty.  

Luke 17:11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

• Note: This man which was an alien from the Jewish covenant, and was the only grateful one and the only one Jesus pronounced completely healed.

When someone does something for you, proper protocol and etiquette is to give them thanks or gratitude. You show them how much you appreciate it. You’re not ashamed to tell people thanks with emotion (show and tell). Why are you ashamed to tell Yahweh thanks with emotion? Psalms 22:22 (KJV) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ps 107: 1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; and 19 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

I Thess 5:18 In (not for) everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Gratitude to God proceeds from the heart full of appreciation and then it overflows into your emotions and finds expression in words, praise and joy. It’s the ingredient in thanksgiving that gives great pleasure to the giver. Gratitude is connected to praise or lauding, extolling and magnifying God’s goodness, mercy and ability. It is also connected to the word sacrifice. Ps 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

God has always taken notice of the different sacrifices people offered. In the Old Testament , many of the sacrifices were animals and were required to be perfect.

II Sam 24:21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. 24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. David knew that only heartfelt, personal, and pure sacrifices were the kind God was looking for. It cost David much and therefore was valuable and acceptable to God.

• Now we bring the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God. A life of worship. It cost us much, because we give up our own selfishness to offer God a pure and heartfelt worship or sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 (KJV) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
• Another Translation says: Our constant sacrifice to God should therefore be our songs of praise, faithful confession of His name with our lips.

• Gratitude is more than saying “Thank You”, it’s being faithful to the One who has given you everything. You don’t owe God a “thank You” note, you owe Him your life. Gratitude therefore is a lifestyle for every Christian.

It’s shocking how many people try to give God praise ONLY when they get something. They don’t realize that praise and worship is a lifestyle. You worship God with your life. How you reverence God with holy living is worship to Him. Yes we thank Him, praise him in the dance, with our voice, through singing, etc., but this is about living a life of gratitude.

Psalms 9:17 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)

• Side Note on relationships: Stop saying God is not about rules (guidelines)! All relationships have rules. Married couples are in relationship, but they still have to abide by rules. A pastor and his congregation are in relationship but there are still rules (protocol). A boss and an employee can have a great relationship but there are still rules and consequences for breaking the rules. God wants a relationship but there are still rules. Stop saying God is not about rules! Everybody should have boundaries in their lives. God created boundaries, so we won’t go off the deep end. We all need guidelines, rules, correction, authority, accountability, and leadership.2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

A grateful person is not a:

• complainer
• whiner
• stingy
• selfish
• manipulator