Gratitude - the Correct Attitude

One of the Gospel stories that always captured my interest was the account of Jesus healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). Leprosy today has pretty much been eradicated except in some limited areas of the third world. However in biblical times it was a dreaded disease that affected many regardless of their standing in life.

Once someone was determined to have leprosy, they were forced to separate from their homes and families. As a result they usually ended up living with other lepers and supported themselves by begging.

In Luke's Gospel, the details are as follows: As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem from Galilee he came to a village and outside the town a group of ten men who had leprosy called out to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Lepers were required to stay at a distance since people did not want to come in contact with them and maybe contract the disease. When Jesus saw them he said, "Go show yourself to the priests." As they went, they were cleansed. One of the man, when he saw he was healed, came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him.

Jesus asked, "Were not all then cleansed? Where are the other nine?" What has always impressed me is that only one out of the ten bothered to take the time and effort to say "thank you." It seems that asking for help or for more of this or that comes easier than bothering to say "thanks."

Ingratitude is a most despicable attitude. We who live in the United States of America are truly fortunate! When you consider the abundance of things that we have in comparison to the rest of the world - we are indeed blessed! Beside all the necessities of food, clothing and shelter we have so much other "stuff" that people who live in underdeveloped countries can only imagine as things they might have seen in pictures or movies.

Yet despite all our blessing, how many are really grateful and will take the time to thank and worship the "Heavenly Father" who is the ultimate source of all our blessings? Probably about the same 10% that did so in the Gospel story. Do not be one of the nine--do what the one healed man did and thank God for your blessings not only at Thanksgiving season, but throughout all the year! (Ephesians 5:20)