Why are we supposed to give thanks? That is, why does it really matter if we are thankful or not? Is it a matter of owing something to the person who showed us kindness and generosity? Wouldn’t that make thanksgiving only a matter of feeding someone’s self-interest? That is, we give thanks only to make the other person feel valued and appreciated for what they did for us - a kind of “bun khun” response? Or is there more to gratitude than that? Most significantly, why does God ask us to give thanks to Him? Is He insecure about Himself and needs our appreciation so that He can feel good about Himself?
