If you want more of everything that is good for you, then be grateful and express gratitude for everything that happens in your life. There are few things more important than maintaining an attitude of gratitude; after all, what else can you give a God who has everything?
Instinctively and experientially we know the importance of being grateful and showing gratitude, but I wanted some scriptural references, so I looked up scriptures concerning thankfulness, gratefulness, and gratitude when I came across this passage in Luke.
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
I was having a difficult time understanding this verse until I took the liberty of adding in the word gratitude, then the verse made perfect sense, as its words now aligned with my instinctual and life experiences.
After reading and reading this passage in Luke, as well as related passages in Mark, this passage, as well as the other passage from Mark seem to be missing the word GRATITUDE. Without the word gratitude the verse, is confusing, even suggesting that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, which does not align with the Christs teachings.
Let’s take a look at what a vast difference this verse makes when we add the word gratitude to the verse.
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has GRATITUDE will be given more; whoever does not have GRATITUDE, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
By putting the word gratitude into the verse it brings the verse in line with the teachings and heart of Christ. Though more than two thousand years have passed since this verse was written, its truths are as relevant today as when Christ spoke the words.
Being religious has nothing to do with our living out our lives in a state of gratefulness. The Creator meant for all of us to live an abundant life and a key to experiencing that life is to always remember to be grateful for everything and in all situations. Having a heart of gratefulness has proven to be one of the Creators universal laws. We can not live a useful life without it, as an attitude of gratitude has a positive effect on every aspect of our physical and spiritual lives.
Jesus teaches and encourages us to be grateful, for our lives are reflections of our thoughts, our thoughts are energy and become physical manifestations. Remember, whatever you think about the most you will attract, so when you’re in an attitude of gratitude, you will automatically draw abundance into your life.
I Am Grateful Action Plan
- Each day, throughout the day, think about all that you’re grateful for.
- Take the time to write down twenty-five things, challenges, or situations you are grateful for.
- Post your list somewhere you can easily see it.
- Read your list at least once a day and say out loud – Thank you, Thank you, thank you.
- Update gratefulness list as more things you are grateful for come to mind. Focus in on having at least one-hundred things you are grateful for added to your list within thirty days.
- Share what you are grateful for with family and friends.
Feel the gratitude developing every cell of your body. Let your attitude of gratitude draw more and more beautiful things into your life. You deserve them.
Love and Blessings,
Robert Morgan “Bobby”
The ramblings of a smitten soul 