不感恩不行嗎？

作者：Evelyn O. Shih / 中譯：以恩

己經近入秋天，我發現自己有時會想：「為什麼我一定要感恩呢？」有時我覺得慶祝感恩節真的很麻煩。所以我在思想：「不感恩不行嗎? 」

誠然，我們有自由可以選擇要不要慶祝感恩節；但是在這裡我想和你談談，若你不感恩有什麼後果。

首先，一個不感恩的人是一個自大的人。他或她認為他們的成就完全來自他們自己的努力。這種信念剝奪或否定了撫養子女的父母，教育子女的學校和老師的努力，還有提供爭取高科技目標的政府以及為他們提供穩定環境的社會。這個人假設這些東西都是他或她應該擁有的，因此沒有什麼值得感恩。

由於此人否認過去所得的一切利益，因此他或她也忽略了現在正享用的利益。假設有個男人不欣賞妻子對他的支持，也覺得同事的團隊合作不重要，也不相信他的教會或團契的和祈禱。這人把一切歸功於自己，所以他沒有朋友，也沒有親近的家人。

其次，一個不懂得感謝的人會嫉妒。這種人不願看到別人比自己更成功。他們注視著鄰居採取的每一個步驟，數出同齡人獲得的所有財產，並希望擁有比別人更好的新事物。

例如，一個男人可能會想要自己無法獲得的東西，例如滿頭的頭髮，有一對漂亮而聰明的孩子及年輕妻子，他對別人的嫉妒會越加嚴重。這樣的人向上帝抱怨生活不公平，因為他沒有得到他想要的一切。

因此，一個不感恩的人是不開心的。這些人認為其他所有人都欠他們的債，即使有人善待他們，他們也認為那是應該的，那是在還欠他們的債，根本不需要感恩。 這樣的人認為他們必須拿到最好的，100 分的完美。換句話說，當他們少拿一分，便認為上帝欠他們一些東西。

相反地，一個經常感恩的人將自己放在零分的起點。 這個人承認他或她在世界上一無所有。從這個角度來看，有任何接受或增加的分都是來自上帝的恩典。一個微笑就會使這人高興。由於此人很滿足，因此他或她將不會貪愛他人的財產。這人相信上帝會賜予我們每個人不同的祝福，這些祝福可以滿足每個人的需求。

即使在患難中，這個人也會感謝，因為他/她可以看到神在這種情況下所賜的恩典，並且可以明白上帝管教的新功課可以使其靈命成長。這個人總是很快樂，因為他或她在任何情況下和所有事情上都感謝。

親愛的朋友！ 當您不感恩時，您會不開心，這會導致周圍的所有人也感到不開心。 假如大家都不快樂，那是什麼樣的生活？ 因此，不感恩不行。

Does It Matter To Give No Thanks ?

by: Evelyn O. Shih

As the fallen season approached, I found myself wondering, "Why is it that I have to give thanks?" Sometimes I feel as if cerebrating Thanksgiving Day is a big trouble. So, I wonder, "Does it matter whether I give thanks or not?"

We are free, it is true, to not cerebrating Thanksgiving Days, however, I would like to discuss with you how it matters when you do not give thanks.

First of all, a person who gives no thanks is an arrogant one. He or she thinks that their achievements come from their own efforts only. This belief discounts or denies the efforts of the parents who raised their children, the school and teachers who educate them, the government that provides the goal of high technology for which to strive, and the society that give them a steady environment. This person assumes that these things are what he or she should have, so there is nothing for which to be thankful.

Since this person denies the benefits of the past, he or she also neglects the benefits of the present. Take, for example, the man doesn't appreciate his wife's support, doesn't care about his colleague's teamwork, and doesn't believe in his church and the support of its fellowship and prayers. This man gives all the credit to himself, so he has no friends nor close family members.

Secondly, a person who gives no thanks has the green eyes of envy. These people can't bear to see others more successful than themselves. They watch every step the neighbors take, count every possession their peers procure, and want to have better and newer things than others.

For example, a man might think of the things he can't get, such as a full head of hair, an ever younger wife of a pair of beautiful and smart children, and his green eyes become even greener. Such a man complains to God that life is unfair because he doesn't get all the things he wants.

Therefore, a person who gives no thanks is an unhappy one. These people consider that everyone else is indebted to them, such that, even if someone treat them well, they take that deed as merely one debt repaid, certainly not worthy of thankfulness. This person puts himself or herself on the mark of 100 points. In other words, God owes them something when they receive one point less.

On the contrary, a person who gives thanks all the time puts himself or herself on the mark of zero points. This person admits he or she has nothing when it comes to the world. From this perspective, any point received or added is from the grace of God. A smile from someone will make this person happy. Since this person is content, he or she will not covert the possessions of others. This person believes that God grants each of us a different blessing, which meets that individual's needs.

Even in time of tribulation, this person will gives thanks because he or she can see God's grace in the situation and can recognize God's discipline in teaching a new lesson for spiritual growth. This person is always happy, for he or she gives thanks at every occasion and in all things.

Dear friend! You are not happy when you don't give thanks and this causes all the people around you also feel unhappy. What kind of life is it when nobody is happy? So, it does matter to give no thanks.