Be ThankfulSample

Living Wisely: How Thankfulness Redeems Our Days

A lack of gratitude doesn’t just lead to great sins; it also results in great waste. Sin is inherently wasteful, and living an unthankful life means missing out on things we may not realize until it’s too late. One of the first casualties is your own life. When we fail to live with gratitude, we squander the very gift of life that God has entrusted to us.

Recognizing life as a gift means understanding it’s meant to be invested wisely. Why has God given you these years? Why are you still here instead of already in eternity? We are here to live for God’s glory—to serve Him, others, and His kingdom. Any other way of living is wasteful. Are you honoring God with your life, or are you letting it slip by without purpose?

We all have moments of waste in our lives, yet God’s grace offers a chance to change. Show me someone living for God’s glory, and you’ll find a person with a thankful heart. Show me someone unthankful, and you’ll find a life centered on self.

Ungrateful living also leads to wasted relationships. Every person in our lives is a gift from God, yet how often do we fail to appreciate them? Think of the one you’re married to—do you recognize them as a gift from God, even in difficult times? If God has blessed you with a spouse who shares your faith, what a treasure that is! Gratitude focuses us on these blessings instead of what we lack.

An ungrateful heart wastes material blessings. God gives generously, not for us to hoard our gifts, but to invest them in His work and bless others. While He provides for our enjoyment, He also calls us to use what we have for His purposes. Ungrateful people never seem to have enough. But those with gratitude look for ways to make an eternal difference with what they have.

Perhaps the greatest waste is missing opportunities to share the gospel and encourage others. An unthankful life often focuses on earthly concerns, missing the chance to point others to Christ. Gratitude shifts our perspective, helping us see beyond ourselves and focus on others’ needs.

This is why the command to “be thankful” is so vital. It guards against sin and waste. Richard Sibbes, a Puritan writer, said that true thankfulness flows from humility. A humble heart knows it deserves nothing and is grateful for everything. Pray for a humble heart that recognizes God’s goodness. When you give thanks, remember that even the ability to be thankful is a gift from God. Let this gratitude shape how you live, so no moment or relationship is wasted.

This devotional was based on a sermon by Richard Caldwell. To listen to a related sermon and an episode of the Straight Truth Podcast related to this message, visit our website