Listen to Nancy answer this question on Moody with Kelli and Steve
The Humanist, who represents today’s culture, believes and lives out the idea that humanity is the center of all things. It is the belief that I deserve whatever it is that I want. It says, “I am owed it, I deserve it. I deserve more. I deserve it all. People should take care and cater to me. I’m entitled to more than I’m getting. I have the right to everything everyone else has! I have the right to be happy and healthy; I am entitled to a good job, friends who look up to me, and a spouse who fits my interests and desires.” (This entitled generation has the highest recorded cases of depression and anxiety. Suicides are up 300%)
Scripture defines the heart of entitlement.
2 Timothy 3:1-2, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
1 Corinthians 10:24, “We should stop looking out for our own interests and instead focus on the people living and breathing around us.”
As Christians, we, too, can adopt a sense of entitlement by how we approach our relationship with Christ. Trusting our lives to Christ and serving others does not ensure that we will have a joyous life without pain and suffering. He does not owe us prosperity in an earthly sense. Unless we get a handle on our attitude of entitlement, it will destroy our relationship with God, relationships with family and friends, and our witness to others.
God addressed Job’s attitude of entitlement as a sin.
Job 38:1-7, “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?’ ”
Job 42:1-6,”Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
God is a giver of all good things, not because we deserve anything, but because He loves and cares for us. He gives us a beautiful creation around us. He gives us joy, mercy, peace, and hope. He forgives our sins, which comes with the promise of eternal life. None of these blessings come to us because He feels an obligation to us. They come because He loves us and wants to have a relationship.
“I am God, not man, the Holy One among you! (Hosea 11:9)
“God speaks to Job. “Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine” (Job 41:11)
“Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).
What can I do as a Christian to help stop being so entitled?
- Intentionally choose to give thanks to God in the good times and bad. Begin to see God working in you in all situations to make you into the person He created you to be. Put away your anger and be grateful for all things. Don’t rely on past experiences or your feelings; live for God’s glory today and always!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).
- Choose to love and encourage others. Pray for and forgive those who sin against us without holding a grudge.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-19)
- Have a time of prayer in which all you do is give thanks to God. All good things come from God. Remember that God is the giver of jobs, family, and friends and life’s simple joys and pleasures. Notice a smile from a friend, a hug from a child, and the beauty of a sunrise and sunset.