The Gift, Not The Debt, Of Gratitude

There's a difference between feeling indebted and feeling grateful. When we feel indebted to someone, then there's an expectation either on the part of the giver or the part of the receiver or both that the gift or the favor or the help must be repaid. This kind of feeling can lead the receiver to avoid the giver's company as they are a reminder of the debt owed. But gratitude acknowledges on both the giver and the receiver's end that the gift was an act of grace and compassion and love and there are no strings attached, no quid pro quo, no debt. In this case, the feeling of gratitude actually encourages the receiver to seek out and strengthen their relationship with the giver rather than avoid them because there is no debt to feel guilty about not having repaid and instead a mutual relationship of trust and love. God does not bless us so that we may feel indebted to Him. He does not expect us to pay Him back. He blesses us because He loves us and because He hopes that the outpouring of generosity on His part will inspire feelings of love and gratitude in us and encourage us to draw closer to Him. When we are feeling grateful instead of indebted, then we make it easier for our relationship with God to flourish. We make it easier for God to love us and for us to live God.