Biblical Descriptions of Love: What Love Is and Is Not

HOW THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE LOVE CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO HAVE

1.) – Love is the polar opposite of hate in its feelings, attitudes and actions (Matthew 6:24; John 12:25; 15:18-19; Hebrews 1:9).
2.) – Love burns strongly as a flame of fire that cannot be quenched (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7).
3.) – Love is priceless and cannot be purchased with money or material possessions (Song of Solomon 8:7).
4.) – Love is the fulfilling of the Law of God (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14).
5.) – Love is willing to rebuke, correct or discipline people who are wrong or disorderly (Proverbs 13:24; 27:5, 6; Hebrews 12:4-11; Revelation 3:19).
6.) – Love is the identifying mark of true Christian believers, who love one another (John 13:34, 35).
7.) – Love does not do harm or evil to one's neighbor (Romans 13:10).
8.) – Love values and respects both God and man (Mark 12:32, 33).
9.) – Love treats other people the way it desires to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
10.) – Love conquers all through God who loves the saints (Romans 8:35-39).
11.) – Love edifies or builds up a person (1 Corinthians 8:1).
12.) – Love validates spiritual gifts and acts of charity (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
13.) – Love is patient or longsuffering (1 Corinthians 13:4).
14.) – Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
15.) – Love does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4).
16.) – Love does not parade itself (1 Corinthians 13:4).
17.) – Love is not puffed up with pride or conceit (1 Corinthians 13:4).
18.) – Love does not behave rudely or indecently (1 Corinthians 13:5).
19.) – Love does not seek its own interests; love is unselfish (1 Corinthians 13:5).
20.) – Love is not easily provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5).
21.) – Love does not keep a record of wrongs; love forgives (1 Corinthians 13:5)
22.) – Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
23.) – Love never gives up (1 Corinthians 13:7).
24.) – Love never loses faith (1 Corinthians 13:7).
25.) – Love is always hopeful (1 Corinthians 13:7).
26.) – Love endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7).
27.) – Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).
28.) – Love is greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).
29.) – Love is of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).
30.) – Love is the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:14).
31.) – Love covers the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12).
32.) – Love is a sign that a person knows God; because love comes from God, and God is love (1 John 4:7, 8).
33.) – Love casts out fear; there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7).
34.) – Love is self-sacrificing. A loving person is willing to risk their life to save their loved ones (John 15:13).
35.) – Love is founded upon honesty, sincerity and an adherence to absolute, objective moral principles that distinguish good from evil, right from wrong (Romans 12:9).
36.) – Love toward God, or the lack thereof, is reflected in one's attitudes and actions toward one's neighbor and/or fellow believers (1 John 4:20, 21).
37.) – Love can be unconditional and can be expressed toward enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9, 10).
38.) – Love should pervade all of one's words and actions, otherwise they are unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Ephesians 4:15; Hebrews 10:24).

I made this post in response to many church congregations having a serious problem with hatred toward both nonbelievers and fellow believers alike. It is my hope that all of us will read this checklist list about biblical love and examine ourselves to see whether we truly express the biblical love of God. We must examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). If we are deficient in any of these marks of biblical love, then we should repent and make corrections wherever necessary, for the glory of God and for the benefit of all who interact with us.

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit and How to Identify It

QUALITIES OF A BLASPHEMER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(A SINNER THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN)

Some of my fellow members of the NAMI Peer Support Group asked me questions about the unforgivable sin several weeks ago out of curiosity, and a few of my Facebook friends recently inboxed me questions about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I posted information on this subject last week on 7/18/2013, but I will discuss it in greater detail today.

===========================

My 7/18/2013 post on this subject was:

"Why is blasphemy or sin against Jesus Christ forgivable while blasphemy or sin against the Holy Spirit is not forgivable? The reason why blasphemy or sin against the Holy Spirit of God is unforgivable is because the sinner would be rejecting the Holy Spirit as the saving power of God and chief witness of Jesus Christ the Savior. The way of grace and forgiveness is for the sinner to see the full truth about Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the saving grace of God is implemented upon a repentant sinner through the miraculous regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, plus they are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a child of God and spiritual sibling of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, blasphemy or sin against the Holy Spirit means utterly rejecting the implementer of God's saving grace, along with all the divine knowledge and blessings He provides, thus making divine forgiveness and regeneration of the soul impossible."

===========================

This unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, was first mentioned by Jesus Christ to the scribes, Pharisees, and other religious leaders who sought to discredit Him. Jesus condemn many of those same religious leaders to Hell because of that unforgivable sin (Matthew 23:33). With this in mind, the religious leaders of Jesus' day will be used as an EXAMPLE. The Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jesus' day possessed the following seven (7) qualities that resulted in their committing the unforgivable sin, and ANYONE alive today who commits the unforgivable sin would possess ALL seven (7) of these qualities:

1.) They know that Jesus is the Christ, sent by God the Father (John 3:1, 2; John 11:47, 48; John 12:42, 43).

2.) They have, or had in the past, full access to the Word of God and the Law of God, and they were influenced by the Holy Spirit to some extent, receiving full revelation of God's Truths in the process (Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-31).

3.) They have WILLFUL UNBELIEF and reject God's truth despite overwhelming evidence and visible signs (John 9:13-41); they willfully scorn the Holy Spirit's call to repentance as their heart grows harder and more resistant until they pass the point of "no return," then the Holy Spirit stops calling them to repentance (Acts 7:51; Proverbs 1:20-33).

4.) They have INTENSE PRIDE and HARDENED HEARTS, along with a DESENSITIZED CONSCIENCE, that gradually worsen over time until they pass the point of "no return." They may eventually develop a depraved and reprobate mind (Romans 1:28-32).

5.) They are APOSTATES and/or HYPOCRITES that KNOWINGLY and WILLFULLY exchange the truth of God's Word for lies, idolatry, and man-made teachings and traditions. (Matthew 15:1-9; Romans 1:21-25; 2 Peter 2:20-22).

6.) They fight against God and His holy people, and they attempt to silence the Gospel (Matthew 23:29-35; Acts 5:33-42; Acts 7:52-60).

7.) They believe that the true Jesus of the Bible is satanic, and that His power is of Satan the Devil instead of God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 9:32-34; 12:22-32; Mark 3:20-30).

REMINDER: The unforgivable sin is NOT a sin a truly born-again Christian can commit. It is a sin committed ONLY by the most willfully stubborn unbelievers, hypocrites, and apostates who refuse to wholeheartedly accept Christ and the true Gospel via the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the unforgivable sin; that is, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (the sin unto death --- 1 John 5:16-17), is NOT an easy sin to commit; it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to commit this type of sin. This is because the Lord God Almighty is so patient, so merciful, so slow to anger, and He is not eager to punish sinners according to what they deserve (Psalm 103:8-10). The Almighty God is good, READY TO FORGIVE, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon Him" (Psalm 86:5). God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:30-32; Ezekiel 33:11), and He desires everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). ALL seven (7) of the criteria listed above MUST be present in an unrepentant sinner's life, for a prolonged period of time, in order for them to become guilty of committing the unforgivable sin.

With all of this in mind, if you, or someone you know, fears or worries about having committed this type of sin, chances are you have NOT committed that type of sin, because someone who has committed it would have such a hard heart that such thoughts would not even enter their mind. Your worrying about it actually means that the Holy Spirit is still calling you to repentance; you still have both the ability and the opportunity to repent and become saved.

============================
============================

You CANNOT pass the point of no return, sin against the Holy Spirit and be guilty of the "unforgivable sin" in this present life without FIRST having received FULL REVELATION about Almighty God and Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation, plus having developed a heart that is too hardened to respond with saving faith and repentance. The person must have received both general revelation and special revelation from God. After having received full revelation, a sinner can develop the hardest of hearts and commit the unforgivable sin either of two ways: (1) - through profound, unrelenting opposition to the Christian faith (Example: Jewish religious leaders who rejected and persecuted Jesus and His apostles), or (2) - through apostasy (falling away) from the Christian faith they once held to (Example: New Testament believers who turned aside after Judaizers and Gnostics). Some people try to label murderers, rapists, tyrants and mentally ill people as "unforgivable" before the good and merciful God; however, they fail to realize that those people MUST have full knowledge of God and the gospel of Christ (both general revelation and special revelation) before developing a heart that is hard and resistant enough to be "unforgivable." The more spiritual knowledge you have as an unbelieving and unrepentant individual, the harder your heart will be. After all, why would God leave an "unforgivable" person largely in ignorance of God's saving truth during this present life and wait until Judgment Day itself to finally reveal the full message of saving truth to them before punishing them in Hell? The ONLY way a moderately hardened sinner with mere partial revelation from God becomes "unforgivable" is when they die without having ever believed and repented; otherwise they remain well within the range of God's forgiveness and salvation up until their death (Isaiah 55:6, 7; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 9:27).

Let's examine the two ways a sinner can totally harden their heart after receiving full revelation of God's saving truth. As mentioned earlier, the two ways are profound, unrelenting opposition to Christ and apostasy away from Christ. Opposers and apostates should beware.

The Pharisees, Sadducees and other Jewish religious leaders had constant access to the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), more than everyone else in Jewish society during their era. Jesus Christ literally did everything the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) foretold the Messiah would do, yet, due to blindness and hardness of heart, the Jewish religious leaders willfully rejected Jesus anyway by calling Him Beelzebub (Satan) and having both Him and His apostles killed. Nicodemus indicated at John 3:2 that the Jewish religious leaders, as a collective, knew that Jesus was sent by God (See also John 12:42, 43). Those religious leaders were hardened by spiritual pride, by an obsession with prominence in society, by pleasure in religious traditions and rituals and by an outright love of money. They knew they would have to relinquish all of these things in order to accept Jesus Christ and His gospel but they insisted on holding on to these things and thus put forth great effort to discredit and kill Jesus. Because of already having full revelation, their actions would certainly qualify as a profound, unrelenting opposition to the Christian faith that results in unforgivable sin (Matthew 23:30-36; Mark 3:28-30).

So what about those professed Christians who fell away from the true faith through apostasy? The writer of Hebrews wrote his epistle to a congregation of Christian Jews who were on the verge of apostatizing the pure Christian faith and the New Covenant to embrace a Judaized Christianity or revert back to Old Covenant Judaism. The apostles Paul, Peter and John wrote their epistles to warn fellow Christians to avoid the false doctrines of Gnosticism and others heresies which would result in them apostatizing the only true faith. Those who apostatize from the orthodox, historic Christian faith to follow the Hebrew Roots Movement, Black Hebrew Israelites, Word of Faith, New Age Movement, atheism, agnosticism or any other heretical cult or non-Christian religion are placing themselves in the greatest danger of committing the unforgivable sin should they become totally hardened in the heart through their apostasy. These apostates once had a vivid testimony that Jesus Christ is the only way, and that orthodox Christianity is the only true faith, but then they forsook the Christian faith and began denying its truths, plus they put forth great effort to turn other people against the Christian faith by preaching false doctrine and setting a bad example while living an unbiblical lifestyle. (Titus 3:10, 11; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31; 2 Peter 2:20-22; 1 John 5:16).

Reformed minister Jerry Bridges stated that the unforgivable sin is the most difficult sin to commit, mainly because of God's willingness to show so much mercy and patience toward fallen humanity. As one reads the Bible from cover to cover, they will see that there are more scriptures praising the mercy of God than there are scriptures praising the wrath of God. He even said that He will not hold on to His anger forever but that He instead delights in mercy. (Psalm 103:9; Isaiah 57:16; Micah 7:18). The reason why the wrath of God will be suffered by anyone is because God Himself and His great mercy were utterly rejected and unappreciated. In light of all of this, a sinner would have to resist a great deal of God's patience and mercy with the hardest of hearts (Romans 2:4), despite having full revelation of God's saving truth in Jesus Christ, before God finally gives up on them and condemns them as an unforgivable sinner.

So why are so many Christians so quick to label various kinds of sinners as blasphemers of the Holy Spirit or as "unforgivable" before God? I think it is because such Christians want to put God in a box as regards His ability and willingness to show patience, mercy, grace and forgiveness. In their finiteness, they tend to portray the infinite God as following their very own version of justice against certain sins, as if God's will and abilities are exactly like their own on the human level. Lots of them will portray God as being quick to anger instead of slow to anger (Nehemiah 9:17; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2), as slow to forgive instead of ready to forgive (Psalm 86:5), as enjoying the death of the wicked instead of lacking pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:31, 32). Yes indeed, the Bible makes it perfectly clear that God does and will judge all sin and that every unsaved person will be punished eternally in Hell (Romans 2:5-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:15); however, we must not attempt to underestimate God's ability and willingness to be merciful to the worst of sinners. Also, we must not be so quick to classify certain sins as being "unforgivable" as a way of dehumanizing our enemies and making them feel hopeless. Hell is the very last place God wants to send a person (one of His own creatures); God sends unrepentant sinners to Hell only because His divine justice demands it (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Likewise as Christians we should not want anyone to go to Hell, instead, we should love and pray for our enemies as Christ commanded (Luke 6:27-36), hoping they will become saved. As far as the unforgivable sin is concerned, we must stand still and allow God to be the final judge as to whether or not someone is beyond forgiveness (how thoroughly they know God's truth and how hardened their heart is); we must not be so quick to come to conclusions about an individual's final destiny.

CHECK THE FOLLOWING LINKS ON THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN:

Matthew 12:31-32 – The Unforgivable Sin (by Dr. Jeremy Myers) http://www.tillhecomes.org/sermons/matthew/matt_12_31-32/

The Unforgivable Sin (Mark 3:20-35) John MacArthur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcxL6dNQ5kk

The Unpardonable Sin - Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (Tim Conway) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrp7cMDCZgs

The Biblical Virtue of Appreciation

 Appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities, worth or significance of someone or something, typically manifested as acts of respect, commendation, support and the returning of favors. Appreciation is a godly virtue stemming from love, goodness, kindness and the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. In the Christian life, Almighty God is appreciated above all else because He is God, Lord, Creator and Provider for all living creatures; He is 100% of worthy of worship and praise, One’s fellow man is also appreciated in different circumstances and at varying degrees. There is a biblical precedence for appreciation, it is both taught and exemplified in many passages of scripture in both Old and New Testaments.

1. In the Bible, the Lord often expressed His appreciation by giving people credit, praising them for their good qualities, or for making the right decisions.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Genesis 22:15-18 --- (God recognized Abraham for his faith and obedience. However, please keep in mind that humanity’s good deeds cannot make God love them more or less. God also has things purposed or planned out from eternity past and already knows the final outcome. Also, God does not owe anything to His creatures; He is never indebted to anyone, nor is He in need of anyone. God gives honor and blessing to whoever He sovereignly chooses, whether it be because of His covenant or because it is in His nature to express loving kindness.) Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
• 1 Samuel 2:30 --- (God honors those who honor Him.) Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before me forever.’ But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me: for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.’
• 1 Kings 21:27-29 --- (God delayed judgment on the house of Ahab, the wickedest king of Israel, after Ahab humbled himself.) So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
• 2 Kings 22:18-20 --- (God delayed judgment on the kingdom of Judah after Josiah, the last good king of the Jews, mourned for the sins of Judah and turned to the Lord.) But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD. “Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.” So they brought back word to the king.
• Job 1:8 --- Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (see also Job 2:3).
• John 12:26 --- (God the Father honors those who serve Jesus Christ.) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
• Acts 13:22b --- And [the LORD] said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
• John 1:47 --- Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
• Luke 7:9 --- (Referring to the faith of the centurion whose servant Jesus healed) When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
• Luke 16:8a --- (Jesus even spoke a parable that praised the unjust steward for his wisdom) So the master commended the unjust steward because he had done wisely.
• Matthew 15:22-28 --- (Jesus praised the Canaanite woman who did not get offended at His hard saying) And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

2. The Lord also commends us when we invest our talents wisely to help others and further His Kingdom.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Proverbs 3:9, 10 --- Honor the LORD with all your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
• Matthew 25:21 --- (In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus narrated) His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
• Luke 12:37 --- (Jesus said) Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.
• Hebrews 6:10 --- For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

3. The Lord wants us also to show appreciation to others.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Proverbs 17:13 --- Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
• Proverbs 31:30 --- Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
• Song of Solomon 6:9 --- My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
• 1 Samuel 15:6 --- (King Saul remembered to show appreciation to foreign tribes for having shown kindness to his forefathers.) Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
• 1 Samuel 25:32, 33 --- Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.
• 2 Samuel 1:25, 26 --- (David and Jonathan had one of the closest friendships recorded in the Bible. They even made covenants with each other. After Jonathan’s death, David appreciated Jonathan with a fine eulogy.) How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.
• 2 Samuel 9:6, 7 --- (David also appreciated his late friend Jonathan by showing kindness to Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth, plus he spared alive Saul’s descendants through Jonathan’s son.) Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
• 2 Samuel 10:2a --- Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father.
• 1 King 2:7 --- But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
• 1 Kings 2:26, 27 --- (Solomon showed a certain mount of appreciation to Abiathar for his services by exiling him for his crime instead of executing him.) And to Abiathar the priest the king [Solomon] said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of the LORD God before my father David, and because you were afflicted every time my father was afflicted.” So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, that he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.
• 1 Kings 4:34 --- And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
• 1 Kings 10:23-25 --- So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.
• 1 Kings 10:6-13 --- (The Queen of Sheba appreciated Solomon for his great wisdom and mighty kingdom. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba also exchanged gifts with each other.) Then she [the Queen of Sheba] said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. . . Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
• Matthew 7:12 --- Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
• Romans 13:7 --- Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
• Galatians 5:13, 14 --- For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 --- And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 --- In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 --- Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• 1 Timothy 5:17, 18 --- Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
• Philippians 4:8 --- (Everyone has some good qualities, so let’s recognize them.) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
• 1 John 4:20, 21 --- (Since appreciation is an attribute of love, failure to love one’s Christian brothers is a sign of weak love and appreciation for God.) If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

4. The Apostle Paul’s letters to the brethren were good samples of showing appreciation to others.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Romans 1:8 --- First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
• Romans 16:1-2 --- I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 --- (Paul makes mention of the family of Stephanus and his companions, who were faithful in their missionary work.) I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 --- (Paul honors the church at Macedonia for their extreme generosity and devotion to Paul’s leadership.) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
• 2 Corinthians 8:16-23 --- (Paul commends the faithfulness of Titus and his travelling companion, who administered to the material needs of the Church.) But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
• Philippians 1:18 --- (Paul rejoices because Christ is being preached, whether in truth or in pretense.) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 
• Philippians 4:10, 14-19 --- (Paul expresses appreciation toward his Christian brothers in Philippi.) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 1:3-4 --- We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3, 6, 7, 8 --- (Paul expresses appreciation to the brethren in Thessalonica.) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father . . . And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4 --- We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.
• 2 Timothy 1:3-5 --- (Paul recognizes the genuine faith of young Timothy and his mother and grandmother.) I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
• 2 Timothy 1:15-18 --- (Paul marks a congregation in Asia for turning away from him, but he commends Onesiphorus for showing kindness to him, visiting Paul while in prison.) This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. (Later, in 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul sent a greeting to the household of Onesiphorus when he said, “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.”........)
• Philemon 1:4-7 --- (Paul expresses honor and appreciation to Philemon for his faithfulness, and for his love and goodness toward the saints.) I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
• Philemon 1:10-12, 17, 18 --- (Onesimus was a slave whom Paul converted to Christianity. Paul commended Onesimus for being a profitable individual. Paul asked Onesimus’ master Philemon to treat Onesimus the same way he would treat Paul, as a brother in Christ.) I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you . . . If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.

5. Other examples in the Bible of showing appreciation:

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Genesis 41:39-41 --- (Pharaoh showed his appreciation to Joseph for interpreting his dream and for Joseph’s wise counsel.) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” (See also Genesis 41:1-43).
• Exodus 2:16-21 --- (Reuel, the priest of Midian, scolded his daughters for not showing appreciation to Moses, who had helped them draw water.) Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?” And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.” So he said to his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
• Ruth 3:10 --- (Boaz expressed his appreciation to Ruth for her unselfish devotion.) Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. (See all of Ruth 3.)
• Nehemiah 7:2 --- That I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
• Esther 6:11 --- (King Ahasuerus showed his appreciation to Mordecai for unveiling the plot against the king’s life by having Mordecai dressed in royal apparel and paraded through the city.) So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” (See also Esther 6:1-11.)
• 1 King 13:4-7 --- (King Jeroboam of Judah was appreciative of the young prophet who had asked the Lord to restore the repentant king’s hand.) So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Arrest him!” Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. Then the king answered and said to the man of God, “Please entreat the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” So the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and became as before. Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”
• 2 Kings 5:15-19 --- (After Naaman was miraculously cleansed of leprosy, he showed his appreciation to the prophet Elisha by offering him a gift. Elisha refuses the gift, but as Naaman vows to worship only the Lord God of Israel from hence forth, Elisha permits Naaman to take some of Israel’s soil back home with him to Syria as a reminder of the Lord God of Israel. Plus Naaman asks that God will pardon him as he serves his pagan master in the temple of the god Rimmon.) And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. So Naaman said, “Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing.” Then he said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a short distance. (See also 2 Kings 5:1-19.)
• Acts 2:42-47 --- (Here is the strong bond of love, communion, sharing, appreciation and hospitality within the First Century Church.) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
• Acts 4:32-35 --- (Here is the strong bond of love, communion, sharing, appreciation and hospitality within the First Century Church.) Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
• Galatians 4:12-15 --- (Paul remembers how his brothers at the Church of Galatia welcomed him and helped him during his time of sickness.) Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
• 2 Peter 3:15, 16 --- (The apostle Peter recognizes the apostle Paul and his powerful epistles of inspired truth.) And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
• 2 John 1:1-4 --- (John expresses love and honor to an elder lady and her children who are walking in love and truth.) The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
• 3 John 1:2-8, 12 --- (John commends both Gaius and Demetrius for their integrity to the truth and their generosity, plus he wishes well.) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth . . . Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
• Revelation 2 and 3: --- (In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we see a wonderful example of how the Lord Jesus faithfully shows appreciation for good qualities and actions, even when convicting us about our errors.)
Revelation 2:1-6 --- (Jesus’ message to the Church of Ephesus) “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:12-16 --- (Jesus’ message to the Church of Pergamos) “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Revelation 2:18-26 --- (Jesus’ message to the Church of Thyatira) “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Revelation 3:7-11 --- (Jesus’ message to the Church of Philadelphia) “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

6. The Bible presents examples of unappreciative, ungrateful people along with the consequences for their actions.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Genesis 31:4-9, 38-42 --- (Jacob serves his uncle Laban faithfully for twenty years, but Laban fails to appreciate Jacob and treats him unfairly. As a consequence, God takes some of Laban’s flocks away from him and gives them to Jacob, plus God rebukes Laban for his error.) So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. And you know that with all my might I have served your father. Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me . . . (Jacob addresses Laban) These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” (See all of Genesis 31).
• Numbers 11:1-6, 18-20, 31-34 --- (The Israelites were not content with the manna God provided
them. They were unappreciative and began to murmur. They demanded some meat to eat. God
did provide them meat, but God also punished them for their lusting for different food.) Now
when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was
aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the
camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was
quenched. So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned
among them. Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the
children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish
which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but
now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” . . .
(Moses speaks to the people) Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?” . . . Now a wind went out from the LORD, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and about a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was aroused against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague. So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had a craving for meat. (See all of Numbers 11).
• Numbers 14:22-35 --- (The Israelites refused to follow the Lord God into the Promise Land the He was giving them. The people were afraid, they lacked faith and they failed to appreciate God’s mighty power of provision and deliverance they had previously witnessed, so God punished them by sentencing most of them to die in the wilderness without ever entering the Promised Land.) “Because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea.” And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised. But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. I the LORD have spoken this. I will surely do so to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.” (See all of Numbers 14).
• Numbers 21:4-9 --- (The Israelites develop a discontented, murmuring and unappreciative spirit before God and Moses. They were neither content nor thankful to God for His loving care and provisions, so God punished them by sending fiery serpents among them and some of the people die because of the bites. The people repent and God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpents as a remedy.) Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
• 1 Samuel 25:21-27, 36, 39 --- (A foolish man named Nabal was not appreciative toward David and his men who protected Nabal’s property. Nabal’s wife Abigail appreciated David, but Nabal suffered terribly and was struck dead by God as a punishment for his sin.) Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light.” Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground. So she fell at his feet and said: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant. Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, since the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal. And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord . . . Now Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was, holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; therefore she told him nothing, little or much, until morning light. So it was, in the morning, when the wine had gone from Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became like a stone. Then it happened, after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died. So when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil! For the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head.” (See all of 1 Samuel 25).
• 1 Samuel 19:4, 5 --- (Saul is questioned by Jonathan as to why he intends to kill David after the Lord used David to deliver Israel from Goliath the Philistine.) Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”
• 1 Samuel 24:16-22 --- (Saul admits that he rewarded David evil for good after David was good to him.) So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. Then he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Therefore swear now to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house.” So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
• 2 Samuel 12:7-15 --- (David appeared to have forgotten God’s goodness toward him. David sinned against God by committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah, then took Bathsheba as his own wife. God allowed troubles to come upon David and his household because of this.) Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’” So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” Then Nathan departed to his house.
• Psalm 35:12 --- They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul.
• Psalm 109:1-5 --- Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
• Proverbs 17:13 --- Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
• Jeremiah 18:19-23 --- (Jeremiah expected God to punish the apostate kingdom of Judah for attempting to kill him after he, in his goodness, pleaded to God to spare the kingdom and its people alive.) Give heed to me, O LORD, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me! Shall evil be repaid for good? For they have dug a pit for my life. Remember that I stood before You to speak good for them, to turn away Your wrath from them. Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; let their wives become widows and bereaved of their children. Let their men be put to death, their young men be slain by the sword in battle. Let a cry be heard from their houses, when You bring a troop suddenly upon them; for they have dug a pit to take me, and hidden snares for my feet. Yet, LORD, You know all their counsel which is against me, to slay me. Provide no atonement for their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from Your sight; but let them be overthrown before You. Deal thus with them in the time of Your anger.

7. We should never fail to show our appreciation to the Lord by praising Him for all He has done for us. The Bible passages below are only a small sample of thousands of passages showing how important it is to appreciate Almighty God.

All scriptures referenced were derived from the New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

• Deuteronomy 8:10, 11 --- (Moses exhorts the Israelites to remember and bless God for His goodness toward them.) When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today.
• Job 1:20-22 --- (Job praises God during times of gain and times of loss.) Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
• Job 2:9, 10 --- Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
• Psalm 98:4-9 --- (All of creation will praise God for His judgments and His salvation.) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity. (See all of Psalm 98).
• Psalm 100:1-5 --- (A classic psalm of thanksgiving to God). Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
• Psalm 103:2 --- Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
• Psalm 105:1-5 --- Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.
• Psalm 107:8, 9 --- Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
• Psalm 116:12-14 --- What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people.
• Psalm 145:3-13 --- Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
• Jeremiah 9:23, 24 --- Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
• Luke 1:46-55 --- (Mary does an act of worship, praise and appreciation to the Most High God, who conceived Jesus in her womb.) And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
• Luke 17:11-19 --- (After Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one returned to express appreciation.) Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:9-15 --- As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
• Ephesians 3:14-21 --- (Appreciation of the Mystery of God that is in Jesus Christ) For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
• Colossians 3:17 --- And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
• Hebrews 13:15 --- Therefore by Him (Jesus) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
• Revelation 15:3, 4 --- They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”
• Revelation 19:1-6 --- (The Lord God Almighty receives worship and praise from the heavenly hosts after His righteous judgement against the great harlot of Babylon.) After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!