This is a very old question – possibly as old as man himself. This question has been confronted in the Book of Job, in the psalms such as Psalm 73, and in several other Biblical passages. This has also been a great topic of discussion in philosophy and literature. It is not the purpose of this article to answer all possible questions, nor to create a synopsis of what has already been written.
One of the many frustrating things in life is ungrateful people. Not simply people who are rude, but those who, although you may have sacrificed your time, money, or attention to help them, do not seem to be appreciative or thankful in any way. Although the measure of our demonstration of love for our neighbor should never be based upon how they choose to react, it can be frustrating when someone we help or give a gift to is completely ungrateful.
In Genesis 1:27 Moses states that “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (NASU). This unique quality of being in the very “likeness” or “image” of God is reserved for man alone, implying that there is more to existence than the mere animation of life.
The Thanksgiving holiday has come once again with the appropriate trimmings. It is once again a time when the world will somewhat focus upon a general idea of God. This can be a good thing – at least as a start. God is truly worthy of our thanksgiving and remembrance and the Bible has several passages which emphasize the idea of thanksgiving.