We get so turned off by...
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We get so turned off by a lack of gratitude in most people. We just have to live with it. A 2012 poll by the Templeton Foundation found that less than 50% of Americans claim to express gratitude or thankfulness to others frequently. Jesus put up with such a lack of thankfulness in our lesson. As it did not matter to him, did not stop him from doing good, so lack of thankfulness need not interfere with our doing good. It is like Martin Luther once said in a sermon:
Whoever wants to be a Christian must clearly understand the fact that all his good deeds, faithfulness, and service to others will only result in ingratitude, and he must guard against letting that fact move him to quit doing good deeds and helping others.
(Complete Sermons, Vol. 6, p. 427)
But our Father in heaven and our Lord Jesus Christ are the ones from whom we must learn this art. Our Father in heaven makes his sun to shine not only on pious people who will thank him, but also on the wicked who do not thank him, but misuse and abuse every good gift of God.
(Ibid.)
Get over your hang up about ingratitude. God has. He lets the sun shine on us, gives us air to breathe, and feeds us, even when we are ungrateful.
Whoever wants to be a Christian must clearly understand the fact that all his good deeds, faithfulness, and service to others will only result in ingratitude, and he must guard against letting that fact move him to quit doing good deeds and helping others.
(Complete Sermons, Vol. 6, p. 427)
But our Father in heaven and our Lord Jesus Christ are the ones from whom we must learn this art. Our Father in heaven makes his sun to shine not only on pious people who will thank him, but also on the wicked who do not thank him, but misuse and abuse every good gift of God.
(Ibid.)
Get over your hang up about ingratitude. God has. He lets the sun shine on us, gives us air to breathe, and feeds us, even when we are ungrateful.
