One old man in shabby clothes was brought to an Old-age home by a young well-dressed man. The young man claimed that he saw this old man roaming aimlessly and was an orphan and got him admitted to the Old-age home which provides free service. After three years the old man died. It was found that he had given off all his properties to his son who deceptively admitted and abandoned him in the old-age home. And he did not give anything to the institution that took care of him for three years. The social activist who runs the institution said: “For the old man, loyalty to son was of greater value than gratefulness to the institution. If this is the value system of our culture, then we cannot run an institution like this.” How true is it? If beneficiaries of such work are not willing to support such efforts, how can such institutions survive?
Several Christian institutions that provided for children did not get back support from children who became well earning adults. The contribution of Joseph to the Kingdom of Egypt, in fact through the Kingdom to all citizens was forgotten. New generation did not know about this and were not grateful to him or his people Israel. (Exodus 1:8)
Joash was protected from assassination and was anointed as king by Jehoiada the priest when he was seven years old. He was a good king guided by Jehoiada. After his mentor Jehoiada’s death, Joash went astray from the Lord. Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, rebuked Joash. Instead of listening to God’s voice, Joash conspired and assassinated Zechariah. “Thus, Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son.” (II Chronicles 25:22) Sadly, Zechariah was murdered in the same place, where his father Jehoiada had anointed Joash as king. (II Chronicles 23:10-11)
Gratefulness is a spiritual act that brings greatness. Lack of gratefulness breeds greediness, corruption, and violence.
Am I grateful to God and others?