For although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.  Romans 1:21

The Israelites grumbled in the wilderness, though God fed, clothed, and led them through it (Ex 16:2; Deut 8:2). We look at them today, and find it hard to believe how their ungrateful hearts took God’s daily miracles for granted, and we often miss the reality that we walk in their footsteps. Ingratitude is epidemic in our day in our society as well as in our churches.

The foundation of ingratitude is self-idolization. When it’s all about me, there’s not much room for gratitude. All that’s left is grumbling, complaining, arguing. That’s why Paul wrote this command: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phil 2:14-15).

We look at our circumstances in pride, and our hearts tell us we are good, that we should get what we want, and if we don’t, it’s not fair and we’re justified in our complaining and demanding our rights. Because being comfortable and convenienced in every way…it’s our right. And the result is that anger wells up inside of us over our inconveniences and perceived inequities. That is false wisdom (Rom 1:22); it’s “showing contempt for the riches of His kindness” (2:4); it’s ingratitude.

Humility looks at the same circumstances and has an entirely different reaction. Humility recognizes that God is good, that He gives us all He knows we need (Deut 2:7; Ps 34:9), and the result is that gratitude for His goodness wells up inside of us.

That is true wisdom.

Happy Thanksgiving (to my American readers).