Good News Sense

Remember that glass with exactly half of the amount it would hold? Depending on temperament, a person might say either half full or half empty; one sees what he has, but another sees what is lacking. It would be interesting to survey people living in a more prosperous society with glasses at maybe one third, one half, and three fourths, and then compare the results to a comparatively poor society. I have a hunch that the poorer might be more grateful for the little they have, while the richer more unhappy even though they have quite a bit.

Paul warns in Romans 1 that being ungrateful leads to losing what you do have. That is not really hard to comprehend. If I help someone out and they show no appreciation, I think maybe I won’t do it again for that person. Now that is a very human reaction, but God isn’t human, even though he made us in his image. He most likely has the same reaction, but his purposes are beyond that; he always works for our benefit.

When people are blessed with plenty, they tend to grow presumptuous, thinking that prosperity is their natural state, their right. Two situations demonstrate this problem. The United States has enjoyed the greatest prosperity in the world for half a century, and many have become accustomed to its wealthy lifestyle compared to many other places. The houses are often large, the closets are full of clothing, the children have many toys, and teens to grandmas have computers, cell phones, electronic games and conveniences, multiple televisions, and many cars. Many glasses are nearly full, and yet losing a few drops is cause for sadness and complaining.

Even the poor are rich here, despite much that we hear. Few homes lack televisions or air conditioners, and again there is presumption. The generous welfare benefits, medical care for the poor, disabled, and elderly, special help for poor children, food stamps, and the like, often overlapping, have created a sense of entitlement such that many stop taking responsibility for their own support, even if they are fully capable of working. Some once regarded “charity” as something shameful and humiliating to receive, because it was clearly private citizens helping other private citizens. The reluctant recipients were deeply motivated to work hard so as not to need charity…a very different attitude than that often in response to welfare.

God knows that ungrateful people become complacent and smug, ignoring the source of their blessings and to whom it all ultimately belongs. They tend to regard what they have as their own property, not God’s held in stewardship. Those who claim to be children of God who take God’s generosity for granted become poor examples of the virtues of Christ. God is surely offended, as any of us would be, but he also recognizes that ungrateful people are immature and unfaithful, at a cost to themselves and to those around them. Ultimately, salvation itself the most precious gift from God, and one my seriously question whether a person can have received this priceless gift and, at the same time, be ungrateful.

The scope of gratitude exceeds prosperity. We may lapse into complacency when things are good, but being thankful is for bad times, too. “In everything give thanks.” In times of economic reversal, give thanks. When we are sick or grieving, give thanks. When our country or community suffers from poor leadership, give thanks. When our plans fail, give thanks. For better for worse, in sickness and in health, in poverty or wealth, good times or bad, give thanks. Regardless of the prevailing tone of our times, despite the fear and the anger, no matter who seems to be in charge or what they do, give thanks.

I’ll be the first to admit that I often fail at this; I forget to be thankful. Though nearly every formal prayer begins with “thank you,” I can be a “glass half empty” kind of guy. It doesn’t usually show unless you happen to know me well and are close; my public face is generally cheerful, and my manner to most is upbeat. I am an optimist about most everything, fully confident in God’s grace and provision with one exception, my own personal life, in the private realm most don’t see; there I’m a pessimist, and there I neglect gratitude all too easily. I’m not “preaching” from some lofty perch of super-spirituality.

Bottom line, if for no other reason—although there are many other reasons—give thanks knowing that in an eternal perspective, knowing what God has done and what he has promised, beyond any half empty or nearly empty glass here on earth, our prospects are excellent, the losses we experience are momentary, and the blessings awaiting us will fill that glass to overflowing forever.