And when your Lord proclaimed : If you are thankful, I shall give you more; but if you are thankless, then beware that My retribution is severe!

(Gratitude results in an increase in Divine Benefactions; gratitude reminds us of our Lord who bestows His Grace on whom He will without any stint; gratitude reminds us of how copious and generous our Lord is; gratitude turns us away from greed and teaches us contentment; gratitude reminds us of how small we are and how great is He who hears us and responds to us; gratitude makes us realize how often we have relied upon Him and how much we have received from Him! As opposed to this, ingratitude is the quickest way of falling out of His Grace and meriting His retribution, - a point which is highlighted in the verse with a crisp emphasis).