Whatever Happened to Appreciation?

THE twelve-year-old boy was drying dishes, somewhat against his will. Suddenly, a large platter slipped from his fingers and went crashing to the kitchen floor. The momentary silence that followed seemed unending. Then his mother said: “You know, Robert, of all the times you have dried dishes for me, this is the first time you dropped one. I think you have set some kind of a record.”

The anxious look left the boy’s face and he smiled lovingly at his mother. Her few words of appreciation at the right time had saved the day for both her son and her. How true the words of the wise man Solomon! “As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it.”​—Proverbs 25:1, 11.

“Utterly Lacking in Gratitude”

It is truly heartwarming to receive a few words of commendation or gratitude. But what has happened to appreciation? Why, in today’s materialistic world sincere expressions of appreciation are disappearing! Gratitude is being replaced by a “me-first” attitude. Lacking in the vocabulary of many is the simple phrase “Thank you very much!” This situation is in fulfillment of the apostle Paul’s words: “But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centred . . . They will be utterly lacking in gratitude.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-5, Phillips.

At the same time, appreciation is often replaced by flattery. Expressions of appreciation are made from the heart with no thought of personal gain. However, flattery, usually insincere and extravagant, stems from the ulterior motive of getting ahead or gaining certain personal advantages. (Jude 16) Who wants to receive insincere flattery? But genuine appreciation​—well, that is different!

The writer Mark Twain once said: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Most of us do feel good when someone pays us a sincere compliment. In fact, being commended or receiving words of true appreciation can stimulate us to keep doing our best and also to commend or thank others when we have opportunity to do so.

That heartfelt gratitude is a godly virtue is evident from many statements in the Bible. For instance, numerous psalms contain expressions of thanksgiving. To illustrate: The psalmist David prayed that he might dwell in Jehovah God’s house of worship all his life and look upon God’s temple “with appreciation.” (Psalm 27:4) Asaph, another psalmist, declared: “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks to you.” (Psalm 75:1) So it is fitting that we reflect on this matter of showing appreciation.

‘Where Are the Other Nine?’

THE contrast between persons showing appreciation and those neglecting to do so was well illustrated in the Bible account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus Christ. The lepers, prohibited by the Law from coming close to anyone, called out to Jesus as he was entering a certain village. Their plea was that he have mercy on them. Jesus saw that they were leprous and told them: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And what happened? The inspired record adds:

“Then as they were going off their cleansing occurred. One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him; furthermore, he was a Samaritan. In reply Jesus said: ‘The ten were cleansed, were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Were none found that turned back to give glory to God but this man of another nation?’”​—Luke 17:11-19.

‘How sad!’ you may exclaim. ‘All ten were cured but only one expressed his appreciation.’ Surely, we should all take to heart the lesson implied by Jesus’ comment and the question ‘Where are the other nine?’ Yes, and this incident should move us to show appreciation.

Showing Appreciation to Family Members

There are many opportunities for expressing appreciation to others, including friends and family members. This is true even in small things: for an unexpected gift, for a visit from a friend, for a delicious meal, or for having our clothes washed and ironed.

Children, you can show appreciation to your parents. How? By doing chores promptly and without grumbling, by keeping your room clean and your clothes neat. You can show gratitude for the education you are receiving by applying yourself well both in class and when doing homework. In one country it is estimated that it costs up to $54,000 (US) to raise a child to the age of eighteen. When was the last time you expressed gratitude to your parents for all they have done in your behalf?

Parents, do you show appreciation for things done by your children? True, they may not have done something as well as you could do it. But a word of appreciation for their effort will make them happy. And it will encourage your children to do even better in the future.

Husbands, do you recall the saying ‘a woman’s work is never done’? Well, then, do you commend your wife so that her housework does not become drudgery? The Bible says of a “capable wife”: “Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner rises up, and he praises her. There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you​—you have ascended above them all.” (Proverbs 31:10, 28, 29) A husband can show appreciation for his wife in many ways, as by an evening out together or by a loving gesture.

Wives also have many opportunities to show appreciation. To provide the necessities of life, a husband usually has to work with persons of varying temperaments and habits, and this can be very depressing. So, on returning home, how heartwarming it is for him to receive a loving welcome or a few words of appreciation from his wife for what he does for the family! Yes, and how grateful a man can be for a capable​—and appreciative—​wife! The Bible says: “Her value is far more than that of corals. In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking. She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life.”​—Proverbs 31:10-12.

Aging parents also come into the picture. They have done much for us over the years. Children are an “inheritance from Jehovah,” but rearing them is a great responsibility. (Psalm 127:3) In fact, doing so might be called a twenty-year training program. Yet many do not show gratitude to their parents for all those years of service and self-sacrifice. Too often, elderly parents are shunted off to a home for the aged. Of course, in some cases professional attention in such places may be essential. But regardless of how well trained strangers are, their care alone for the elderly is never the same as their being with their own family. So, when necessary and possible, what a fine way to show appreciation for our aging parents is our inviting them to live with us! The apostle Paul put it this way: “Remember that if a widow has children or grandchildren it is primarily their duty to show the genuineness of their religion in their own homes by repaying their parents for what has been done for them, and God readily accepts such service.” (1 Timothy 5:3, 4, Phillips) Naturally, aging parents and grandparents should be cooperative and should show appreciation for what is done in their behalf.

Outside the Family

When family members show us their gratitude for something we have said or done, how this warms our heart! Similarly, it is heartwarming to those outside our family when we express our appreciation for them and for what they do or say. The occasions for doing this are so numerous that there really is no way to cite them all.

Perhaps you have recently begun to increase your understanding of the Bible through personal study and association with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Is it not spiritually rewarding to gain knowledge of God’s Word? Surely you appreciate that. And what about the Christian associates you now have? The Scriptures say that Jehovah God would “rock all the nations” and that the “desirable things” of all nations would come into his house of worship. Evidently these “desirable things” are people who are streaming to ‘the mountain of Jehovah’s house,’ and are now worshiping him “with spirit and truth.” (Isaiah 2:2-4; Haggai 2:7; John 4:23, 24) They are loving, honest, upright and wholly devoted to God and his righteous principles. And just think! In a world marked by such traits as lovelessness, dishonesty and unthankfulness, you are privileged to have fine godly associates. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Is their association not something for which to be deeply appreciative? Surely it is.

On the other hand, perhaps we have been pursuing a Christian way of life for years. If so, think about those who have been our faithful fellow Christians for some time. Certainly it would be fitting to thank them for their many kindnesses in word and deed. Have we been guests in their home? Or, have we enjoyed a meal with them? Then, besides a verbal expression of thanks, might it not be appropriate to write a note or send a card expressing appreciation?

Doubtless, each one of us can find many ways to make ourselves and others happier by showing our sincere appreciation. So let us be like the one cured leper who had a truly appreciative spirit. May we not be ingrates, such as the other healed lepers concerning whom Jesus asked: ‘Where are the other nine?’

Clearly, we should show appreciation to fellow humans. But what about the One who made all things? (Revelation 4:11) What are some reasons to be grateful to him? And how can we show our appreciation to Jehovah God?

Showing Our Appreciation to God

We thank you, Jehovah, each day and each night,

That you shed upon us your precious light!

We thank you that we have the priv’lege of pray’r,

That we can approach you with ev’ry care!

We thank you, Jehovah, for your faithful Son,

Who o’er death and Hades the vict’ry won!

We thank you for guidance in doing your will,

For thus you do help us our vows fulfill!

We thank you, Jehovah, for our brotherhood,

Where we find companions both true and good!

We thank you for giving us your active force,

Your spirit, which aids us to hold our course!

We thank you, our God, for the honor to preach

About your great name and the truth to teach!

We thank you that soon all earth’s woes will be past,

While your Kingdom blessings forever last!

THESE are the words of the song “We Thank You, Jehovah!” They appear in the publication “Singing and Accompanying Yourselves with Music in Your Hearts,” a songbook used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This song gives evidence of their desire to express appreciation to God, and this harmonizes with the Scriptural encouragement to ‘sing with music in our hearts to Jehovah,’ thus “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks always for all things to our God and Father.” (Ephesians 5:18-20) But what are some reasons to give thanks, to show appreciation, to Jehovah God?

Why Show God Our Appreciation?

Life itself is a gift from God for which to be thankful. In fact, Jehovah provides all things good and beneficial. (Acts 17:24, 25) Among such good things mentioned in the song just quoted are these: precious spiritual light (Psalm 43:3; John 17:3); the privilege of prayer (Proverbs 15:8); the sin-atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:1, 2); Scriptural guidance in doing the divine will (Psalm 40:8; 119:9-16, 105); the loving Christian brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17); God’s guiding holy spirit, or active force (Psalm 143:10); and the eternal kingdom blessings that will replace earth’s woes. (Matthew 6:9, 10; Revelation 11:15-18; 12:9-12) These are among the things for which Jehovah’s Witnesses give God thanks when singing in congregational assembly.

There are so many reasons to show God our appreciation. Why, think about awakening on a beautiful morning! The sun is shining brightly, you hear the birds singing, and you smell the sweet fragrance of flowers or newly mowed hay. Thrilled, you say: “It’s great to be alive!” Yet, how appropriate to express your appreciation to the One who made all of this possible!

God has, indeed, made many provisions for mankind’s benefit and pleasure. Consider the sun, moon and stars that give us light. There is air to breathe and plant life to purify it. Jehovah has provided food and water in abundance. And think of all the bird and animal life that makes a trip through the countryside so enjoyable. (Job 37:5-16; Psalm 8:3-9; Acts 14:15-17) Moreover, God has given us the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell that enable us to enjoy these provisions to the full. How grateful we should be!

Of much greater importance to dedicated Christians are Jehovah’s spiritual provisions. A number of them are mentioned in the song quoted at the outset. Surely it is proper to be grateful to God for such spiritual blessings.

It is also good to meditate regularly on all of Jehovah God’s abundant provisions, spiritual and material. Doubtless such meditation will move us to do something. Very likely it will prompt us to show God our appreciation by expressing it in words and actions.​—Psalm 1:1-3; 77:11, 12.

Appreciative Words and Deeds

Sincere prayer is one obvious way to express our appreciation to the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (James 1:17) So, do we thank God regularly in words of prayer? We might well be moved to do so as did the psalmist David, who declared: “Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. Were I inclined to tell and speak of them, they have become more numerous than I can recount.”​—Psalm 40:5.

David also was determined to show God his appreciation by words spoken to others. Accordingly, he said: “I will laud you, O Jehovah, with all my heart; I will declare all your wonderful works.” (Psalm 9:1) In a similar vein the song “We Thank You, Jehovah!” says: “We thank you, our God, for the honor to preach about your great name and the truth to teach!” Yes, indeed, speaking to others about God, verbally expressing ourselves by sharing with them the truth from his Word, is probably the finest way to show him our gratitude.

Think back, please, to that one leper who returned to express his gratitude for being cured. How did he do this? We are told: “One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him.” (Luke 17:15, 16) Not only did the man thank Jesus for curing him but he also glorified God, the Source of life and true healing. And the healed man did this “with a loud voice.” Why, he must have praised Jehovah and talked about the matter for weeks, even months! This well illustrates how we can express our gratitude by talking about what we have seen, heard and learned about God.

Basically, this is why Jehovah’s Witnesses go from house to house. Gratitude to God moves them to engage in good works, godly deeds. (James 2:26) These works include proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The Witnesses are eager to tell others about what they have learned from God’s Word, the Bible, and to explain how this knowledge has given them a hope for the future. Like the appreciative leper, they, too, want to glorify God.

Do you also feel motivated to talk about some of the things you have learned from the Scriptures? Do not resist the urge. You can begin by talking to family members, neighbors, fellow workers and friends. As you do so, you will find that your own appreciation for spiritual things will grow, your understanding will deepen, and your desire to learn more will be enhanced. A Scriptural proverb states: “Give to a wise person and he will become still wiser. Impart knowledge to someone righteous and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9) Millions of persons are moved to express their appreciation to God in this way, and they are doing so as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It is evident, then, that we can and should show appreciation to God and fellow humans. We can express gratitude to God in prayer and by extolling his praises in song. Above all, we can show appreciation to Jehovah God by talking to others about his wonderful works.

If you desire help in learning and doing the will of the One who made all things, Jehovah’s Witnesses stand ready to help you. With them, you can know the joy that comes from showing your heartfelt appreciation to God.

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“It’s great to be alive!”