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THE ADDICTION OF INGRATITUDE AND HOW IT WORKS WITHOUT YOU REALISING IT
In this video, you will understand how ingratitude works within you and learn the path to overcome it—before it destroys everything God has already given you.
Did you know that today’s ordinary worker—the one who lives on one, two, or even three minimum wages—is richer than most people considered middle class thirty or forty years ago? That’s right. The current worker, considering the goods and services they have at their disposal, lives better than those who were considered middle class in the past.
Why? Because material life has become more accessible. The rich are indeed richer, but the poor do not live as they did before either.
The dissatisfaction that never ends
What I mean is simple: the material condition does not determine the soul’s satisfaction. The Bible warns us that there will always be poor people. However, regardless of social class, many people live dissatisfied lives.
The unemployed want a job.
Those who earn the least want to earn more.
The lower class wants to go up.
The middle class wants to be rich.
The rich want to be millionaires.
The millionaires want to be billionaires.
And the billionaires want to get on the Forbes list. This race never ends.
The answer is in Psalm 73
The psalmist Asaph understood this human restlessness. He said:
“Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:1-3)
Asaph was a man of God, a temple musician, and a prophet. Even so, he almost stumbled spiritually when he looked at the prosperity of the wicked. He began to compare his life with that of those who did not fear God, and that made him lose his peace.
This is a common trap. When we look at others, we arouse envy. Dissatisfaction is born from the gaze. We often assume that others have more: more money, more comfort, more success. And we stop seeing what we truly have.
The lack of gratitude
Many keep comparing the “bread and butter” they have with the “cake with chocolate coating” of others. They always want more. They are never satisfied. And, in this search, they develop one of the worst addictions in humanity: ingratitude.
The ungrateful person doesn’t recognise what they have. They forget daily bread, health, family, and divine protection. They live in constant complaint, muttering, and wear themselves out chasing after money, believing that it will bring happiness.
But this race is an illusion. It’s like running after your own shadow. The more you run, the more it runs away.
The candy floss of life
Material life resembles the candy floss of childhood. We see that colorful, beautiful cloud and run to have it. Take the first bite, and it disappears. This is the richness of this world: sweet for a moment, empty soon after.
Many lose their lives in this search. They sell their principles and even their souls for a little more money. They think: “When I have what is missing, I will be happy.” But the emptiness continues because the desire never ends.
The race against vanity
This endless competition is born of vanity. We compete with brothers, neighbors, colleagues, and even within the church. But, in fact, we compete with our own vanity—and no one wins this race.
When you conquer what vanity wants, it invents another desire. Victory never comes because the heart is not satiated.
The prayer of gratitude
Therefore, Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11)
And the wise Agur also prayed:
“Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me” (Proverbs 30:7,8)
He knew that both poverty and extreme wealth can drive God’s heart away.
Live with gratitude
So, look at you. Ask yourself: “Do I have what I need?” If you don’t have it, ask God for the daily bread. He takes care of his children with love.
But if you don’t have everything you want, remember: no one has. Not even God has everything He wants, because He wants everyone’s salvation—and many do not want to give themselves to Him.
So, live with gratitude. Thank you for what you have. Watch your eyes so as not to envy what is the other’s. Because the look of greed is a slippery terrain—and in it, many have already lost their souls.