We’ve all encountered them—people who seem incapable of appreciating what’s done for them, who take blessings for granted, who complain despite abundance, and who never seem satisfied. Ungrateful people can be frustrating and hurtful, especially when you’ve poured out love, time, or resources trying to help them.
But friend, before we point fingers at others, God’s Word gently challenges us to examine our own hearts first. How often have we been ungrateful toward God, taking His daily mercies for granted, complaining about what we lack instead of thanking Him for what we have?
These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people aren’t just about identifying ingratitude in others; they’re about recognizing it in ourselves and understanding how deeply it grieves God’s heart. Ingratitude isn’t just bad manners; it’s a spiritual condition that reveals hearts disconnected from God’s goodness.
These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people offer wisdom, correction, and a path toward the thankful heart that honors Him. Whether you’re struggling with ungrateful people in your life or wrestling with ingratitude in your own heart, Scripture provides guidance and hope.
Bible Verses About Ungrateful People
1. Luke 6:35 (NIV)
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
Jesus acknowledges that ungrateful and wicked people exist, yet God shows kindness even to them.
This verse challenges us to extend goodness without expecting gratitude in return, imitating our Heavenly Father who blesses both grateful and ungrateful people alike.
2. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (ESV)
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
Paul lists ingratitude among the characteristics of people in the last days.
Being ungrateful is grouped with serious sins like pride, arrogance, and disobedience. It’s not a minor character flaw but a significant spiritual problem that marks difficult times.
3. Romans 1:21 (NKJV)
“Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Ingratitude toward God leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts.
When people know God but refuse to thank Him, their reasoning becomes worthless and their hearts spiritually blind. Thanklessness is the beginning of a dangerous spiritual decline.
4. Psalm 106:7 (NLT)
“Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the LORD’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.”
Israel witnessed God’s miracles yet quickly forgot His kindness and rebelled.
This pattern of receiving blessing, forgetting it, and complaining is a repeated theme showing how ungrateful hearts respond even to miraculous provision. These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people reveal how quickly humans forget God’s goodness.
5. Numbers 11:4-6 (CSB)
“The riffraff among them had a strong craving for other food. The Israelites cried again and said, ‘Who will feed us meat? We remember the free fish we ate in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there’s nothing to look at but this manna!’”
Despite God providing manna daily, Israel complained about what they didn’t have.
They romanticized slavery in Egypt while despising God’s miraculous provision. Ungrateful hearts focus on what’s missing rather than appreciating what’s given.
6. Luke 17:17-18 (NASB)
“Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?’”
Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank Him. Nine were ungrateful, taking their healing and moving on without acknowledgment.
This reveals the sad reality that most people, even when blessed by God, don’t return to express gratitude.
7. Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (NIV)
“Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God.”
Prosperity often breeds ingratitude. When people become comfortable and wealthy, they tend to forget God and become proud.
Moses warned Israel that abundance can lead to forgetting the Provider, a pattern we still see today.
8. Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Grumbling and complaining are forms of ingratitude that make you blend in with the world.
God calls you to do everything without complaining so you stand out as His child, shining light in a generation characterized by discontent.
9. Psalm 78:11-12 (NKJV)
“And they forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them. Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.”
Israel forgot God’s marvelous works despite witnessing them firsthand.
Forgetting God’s goodness is at the heart of ingratitude. When we don’t remember what He’s done, we can’t be thankful for it.
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
God’s will is for you to be thankful in all circumstances, not just pleasant ones.
This command stands in stark contrast to ungrateful attitudes that only appreciate good times. True gratitude transcends circumstances.
11. Proverbs 27:7 (CSB)
“A satisfied person tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.”
When people are satisfied, they despise even sweet things like honeycomb. Abundance can breed contempt and ingratitude.
Those who have plenty often fail to appreciate what would be treasured by those in need. These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people show how satisfaction can lead to ungratefulness.
12. Hosea 13:6 (NASB)
“As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.”
Satisfaction led to pride, which led to forgetting God. This progression from blessing to pride to ingratitude is a spiritual danger.
When God provides abundantly, the human tendency is to take credit and forget the Provider.
13. James 4:2-3 (NIV)
“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Ungrateful people are never satisfied because they’re focused on what they don’t have.
They fight, quarrel, and covet, never recognizing what they do have as blessing. Even when they ask God, their selfish motives prevent gratitude.
14. Exodus 16:2-3 (ESV)
“And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’”
Freed from slavery, Israel complained they’d rather have died in Egypt.
This extreme ingratitude grieved God deeply. They focused entirely on their current discomfort, forgetting their miraculous deliverance from bondage.
15. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Being thankful is directly connected to letting God’s peace rule your heart.
Ungrateful hearts are restless and discontent, while thankful hearts experience God’s peace. Gratitude isn’t optional; it’s something we’re called to.
16. Psalm 95:8-11 (NLT)
“The LORD says, ‘Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, “Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.” So in my anger I took an oath: “They will never enter my place of rest.”‘”
Israel’s ingratitude and constant testing of God’s patience resulted in forty years of wandering and exclusion from God’s rest.
Persistent ungrateful attitudes have serious consequences, preventing us from entering into the fullness of what God has for us.
17. Romans 1:28-29 (CSB)
“And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness.”
Refusing to acknowledge God—a form of ingratitude—leads to moral corruption.
When people don’t think God is worth acknowledging, their minds become corrupt and their lives filled with wickedness. Ingratitude toward God opens the door to all kinds of evil.
18. Numbers 14:2-3 (NASB)
“All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, ‘Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’”
Despite God’s constant provision and protection, Israel wished they had died rather than follow Him.
This extreme ingratitude questioned God’s goodness and intentions. These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people demonstrate how complaining reveals distrust of God’s character.
19. 1 Corinthians 10:10 (NIV)
“And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.”
Grumbling had deadly consequences for Israel.
Paul uses this historical example to warn believers against ingratitude. Complaining isn’t harmless; it’s serious rebellion against God that He doesn’t take lightly.
20. Psalm 78:17-19 (ESV)
“Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, ‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?’”
Even while God provided, Israel kept sinning by demanding more and questioning His ability.
Ungrateful hearts always want more and doubt God’s capacity to provide. They speak against God instead of trusting Him.
21. Deuteronomy 32:6 (NKJV)
“Do you thus deal with the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?”
Moses confronts Israel’s ingratitude as foolish and unwise.
How can they treat their Creator and Redeemer with such disrespect? Ingratitude toward God is particularly foolish considering everything He’s done for His people.
22. Psalm 106:24-25 (NLT)
“The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the LORD.”
Disbelief in God’s promises leads to grumbling.
Israel refused to enter the Promised Land because they didn’t trust God’s care. Ingratitude is often rooted in unbelief about God’s goodness and faithfulness.
23. Jude 1:16 (CSB)
“These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.”
Ungrateful people are described as discontented grumblers who live for themselves.
Their words are arrogant and self-serving. Ingratitude and selfishness go hand in hand, producing people who manipulate others for personal gain.
24. 2 Chronicles 32:25 (NASB)
“But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.”
Even godly King Hezekiah became ungrateful when pride entered his heart.
He received great benefit from God but gave no return of thanks. Pride and ingratitude brought God’s wrath upon him and his nation.
25. Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God expects constant thanksgiving for everything.
This stands in stark contrast to ungrateful attitudes that pick and choose what to appreciate. Gratitude should be our default response to life, not occasional politeness.
26. Malachi 1:6-7 (ESV)
“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, “How have we despised your name?” By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, “How have we polluted you?” By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised.’”
Israel showed ingratitude by offering polluted sacrifices while claiming they honored God.
They didn’t even recognize their own disrespect. These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people reveal how ingratitude can be so deep that people don’t see it in themselves.
27. Numbers 21:5 (NKJV)
“And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’”
Israel called God’s miraculous manna “worthless bread.” Their souls loathed what God graciously provided daily.
This shows how ingratitude despises even miraculous provision, always finding fault instead of giving thanks.
28. Luke 12:15 (NLT)
“Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.’”
Greed is closely related to ingratitude—always wanting more, never satisfied with what you have.
Jesus warns against this attitude, reminding us that life’s value isn’t in possessions but in relationship with God and contentment in His provision.
29. Psalm 107:11-12 (CSB)
“Because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the counsel of the Most High, he broke their spirits with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.”
Despising God’s counsel is a form of ingratitude that leads to broken spirits and hard consequences.
When people reject God’s wisdom with contempt, they eventually stumble with no one to help them.
30. Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (NASB)
“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.”
Failing to serve God with joy and gladness despite abundance brought severe judgment.
Ingratitude in times of plenty resulted in serving enemies in times of lack. The consequences of ungratefulness can be severe and long-lasting.
31. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul models gratitude through contentment in all circumstances.
Unlike ungrateful people who complain regardless of their situation, Paul learned contentment whether in need or plenty. This is the antidote to ingratitude.
32. Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”
Gratitude should flow from recognizing we’re receiving an unshakeable kingdom.
Acceptable worship comes from grateful hearts that revere God. Ingratitude makes worship unacceptable because it fails to acknowledge what God has given.
33. Amos 4:6-11 (NKJV)
“‘Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; yet you have not returned to Me,’ says the LORD… ‘Yet you have not returned to Me,’ says the LORD.”
God sent various hardships hoping Israel would return to Him, but they remained stubborn and ungrateful.
Despite repeated opportunities to repent and recognize their need for God, they refused to return with grateful, humble hearts.
34. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NLT)
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”
Godliness plus contentment equals great wealth. This perspective defeats ingratitude by recognizing that basic needs met should produce satisfaction.
We came with nothing and leave with nothing, so gratitude for simple provision is appropriate.
35. Psalm 103:2 (CSB)
“My soul, bless the LORD, and do not forget all his benefits.”
David commands his own soul to remember God’s benefits.
Forgetting what God has done leads to ingratitude. Actively remembering and recounting His blessings keeps gratitude alive in our hearts.
36. Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (NASB)
“Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
Moses warned that receiving blessings you didn’t work for creates danger of forgetting God.
When life is easy and provision abundant, ingratitude grows. You must intentionally remember God when blessed with what you didn’t earn.
37. Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk demonstrates gratitude even when everything fails.
This is the opposite of ingratitude that complains despite abundance. True thanksgiving isn’t dependent on circumstances but on relationship with God.
38. Psalm 50:14-15 (ESV)
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
God desires thanksgiving as a sacrifice—something that costs you.
Grateful hearts offer thanks as worship. When you call on God in trouble with a thankful heart, He delivers and receives glory.
39. Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV)
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Walking in Christ should produce thanksgiving that abounds.
Being rooted in Him and established in faith naturally overflows into gratitude. These 40 bible verses about ungrateful people contrast sharply with the abundant thanksgiving that should characterize believers.
40. Psalm 100:4 (NLT)
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”
We approach God through gates of thanksgiving and courts of praise.
Gratitude is the appropriate posture for entering God’s presence. Ungrateful hearts cannot truly worship because worship requires acknowledging God’s goodness with thankful hearts.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Ungrateful People
Dear friend, as we reflect on these 40 bible verses about ungrateful people, it’s humbling to recognize how often we’ve been among them. We’ve complained about God’s provision, taken His blessings for granted, grumbled when life didn’t meet our expectations, and forgotten His faithfulness when facing new challenges.
Ingratitude isn’t just someone else’s problem; it’s a battle we all face. But God’s Word doesn’t just expose ingratitude; it offers the path to transformation.
When we actively remember God’s goodness, when we choose contentment over comparison, when we speak thanks instead of complaints, and when we acknowledge God as the source of every blessing, gratitude begins to replace ingratitude in our hearts.
If you’re dealing with ungrateful people, remember that God extends kindness even to the ungrateful and calls you to do the same. Don’t let their lack of appreciation harden your heart or stop your generosity.
God sees your acts of love even when others don’t acknowledge them. And if you’re recognizing ingratitude in your own heart, thank God for this conviction.
It’s His kindness leading you to repentance. Start today by listing His blessings, thanking Him for what you’ve taken for granted, and asking Him to cultivate a grateful heart within you.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging that I’ve been ungrateful far too often. I’ve complained about circumstances instead of thanking You for Your provision.
I’ve taken Your daily mercies for granted, treating Your blessings as if they were owed to me rather than gracious gifts. Forgive me, Lord.
I’ve focused on what I lack instead of appreciating what You’ve given. I’ve grumbled like the Israelites in the wilderness, forgetting Your faithfulness the moment difficulties arise.
Thank You for Your patience with me despite my ingratitude. Open my eyes to see all the ways You bless me every single day—from the breath in my lungs to the people You’ve placed in my life, from the provision You supply to the grace You extend.
Help me develop a heart that overflows with thanksgiving in all circumstances, not just when life is comfortable. Teach me to remember Your goodness intentionally, recounting Your blessings when I’m tempted to complain.
When I encounter ungrateful people, give me grace to love them as You love me—knowing I’ve been ungrateful toward You countless times. Help me extend kindness without expecting gratitude in return, imitating Your generosity toward both grateful and ungrateful people.
Transform my heart from one that grumbles to one that gives thanks. Let gratitude become my default response to life, replacing complaint with praise and discontent with contentment.
Thank You for the greatest gift of all—Your Son Jesus, who died for ungrateful people like me. May my life be a continuous offering of thanksgiving for such amazing grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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