Gratitude Ratio

Luke 17:12-19

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers which stood afar off:

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

 Are we like those 10 lepers? Do we think God for 1 out 10 blessings that he gives us? In our prayers, do we ask God for 9 blessings and only thank him for 1? Do we tell our family and friends thank you for only 1 out of 10 favors? I hope that my gratitude ratio is a little better than 1 out of 10!

In speaking of the story of the 10 lepers, President Howard W. Hunter also stressed our need to thank our Heavenly Father for all the blessings that He gives to us: "Of the ten men who were healed, only one returned to express appreciation. This must have been a disappointment to the Master, but there are many who receive blessings, many who are endowed with good things in life, yet never take the time or go to the effort to show gratitude to the benefactor or express appreciation to God. Happiness and joy from blessings are never complete until there is a deep feeling of gratitude within oneself which moves an expression of appreciation."