GEN825 Although we must express gratitude to someone who renders us a service, we must thank God before we thank man.  … The Talmud Nedarim 32b states that Malkitzedek erred by expressing gratitude first to Abraham and then to God. For this he was punished.  We must be grateful to anyone who does us a favor, but at the same time, we must realize that God is the ultimate source of all favors.  When someone is told that his wife has given birth to a son, he should make the blessing Hatov Vehamaitiv [Who is good and does good-AJL] before thanking the person who conveyed the good news to him.  Sefer Chasidim 844, cited in Kaf Hachayim – Orach Chayim 222.  PLYN 50