Entitlement is really another word for pride. It simply means “I deserve better.” There is almost no other common sin that is so universally disliked in others when it is encountered yet so readily nurtured in ourselves.
Our modern notion of human rights encourages this. It is all about me and my needs. Not about meeting my responsibilities. When we speak of religious freedom very rarely will a Christian really be talking about say the freedom of muslims to build a Mosque. Nor will a feminist often campaign for the maintenance of the right for Jews Muslims and Christians not to be forced to perform abortions on demand if their faith tells them it’s murder.
But entitlement is so ubiquitous it even stains our relationship with God. If we are “good Christians” we secretly think God owes us a good life on our terms! Some of us even dare to get angry with God when things don’t go the way we hoped.
The Christian needs to be often reminded of grace. Until we realise just how undeserving we are we will never fully appreciate the wonderful grace God has given us. This morning I read in Genesis 32 Jacob’s prayer.
“I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.”
Knowing what we do about Jacob it’s easy to say “you’re not wrong there!” But the truth is you and I are not worthy either. If we could get that into our heads we would be a bit more grateful for Gods bountiful blessings and a lot more content!
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