Giving Thanks to God: Often Neglected, Sometimes Difficult

We would readily agree that God wants us to be thankful to Him. But why is that thankfulness "often neglected" and "sometimes difficult?" This message is not a full scale study of thankfulness, but rather an attempt to challenge our minds by proposing some answers to why giving thanks to God is often neglected and sometimes difficult.

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1. Some have trouble giving thanks to God because it involves an acknowledgement of God: His existence, His sovereignty, and His character.

2. Sometimes it is neglected or difficult because it involves an acknowledgement that all I have comes from Him. Thankfulness requires humility.  1 Corinthians 4:7;  Deuteronomy 8:10-14; 17-18

3. Sometimes it is neglected or difficult because we fail to see what we should be thankful for.  1 Thessalonians 5:18;  Ephesians 5:20

4. Sometimes it is neglected or difficult because we are not convinced of the benefits of thanksgiving.

Consider two:  Peace: Philippians 4:6,7;   The blessing for obedience.

5. Sometimes it is neglected or difficult because I have a narrow or selfish view of the world around me.

a. I cannot see what God is doing outside of myself or my little world.

b. It is possible for me to be materialistic and coveteous, not realizing that life does not consist of the things I possess.  Luke 12:15

6. Sometimes it is neglected or difficult because I have convinced myself the doing it once or a few times is enough.  Hebrews 13:15