Psalm 71
"If you're not grateful, you're not rich -- no matter how much you have."
There is no sin greater than the sin of ingratitude.
"We all do that. We all want to see who has what."
"It's not enough to succeed. Others must fail."
Cultivate the habit of being grateful.
Gratitude is the key.
Grumbling comes naturally; gratitude takes effort.
"It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life."
1. Start being grateful for who you are.
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"It is difficult to make a man miserable when he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him."
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Instead of grumbling about yourself, take some time to say "thank you."
2. Remember what God has done for you.
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"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us -- and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love."
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"Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17 NKJV)
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(v. 15) All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me.
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When you think about the past, don't think about the disappointments, think about God's blessings.
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Gratitude is a habit; we have to practice it daily in order to get good at it.
3. Practice Living in the Moment
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This moment, right now, where you are -- this is all you have.
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So many people are unable to appreciate what God is doing for them today because they're still haunted by things that happened years ago.
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We have to accept the fact that the past is gone.
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They can't express gratitude today because they're worried about tomorrow.
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(v. 8) That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.
4. Tell others about the goodness of God.
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If you want to talk about God, the best place to begin is telling your non-Christian friends how great God is. Talking about God's goodness helps people understand how much they need Him.
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Talking about the goodness of God keeps gratitude going.
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In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only through gratitude that life becomes rich.
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Have you noticed that some people just can't be satisfied.
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It not only lifts up the recipient, it also gives life to the one expressing it.
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Gratitude is not an emotion, it's an action.
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Thankfulness is the proper response to the goodness of God.
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"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord." (Psalm 116:17)