ENTITLEMENT

This week, we are looking at this idea of ‘entitlement’ as found in our culture.  It is certainly becoming a distinguishing characteristic of ‘our’ times.  Truly, the spirit of entitlement runs in opposition to the leading of Holy Spirit.  And it can wreak havoc in any life, … as well as the church. We need to be aware of its encroaching upon our lives. 

What is spiritual entitlement?  In a word … SELFISHNESS.

Spiritual entitlement is obeying ourselves over God.

Spiritual entitlement is sharing the throne of our lives with God.

Spiritual entitlement is expecting God to serve our wants – give us what we desire – bless us as we think is best.

Spiritual entitlement is an inability to be content in all things until all things are working for us. 

Spiritual entitlement is my will be done, and then bring God in.

It’s me first. 

Simple but scary. 

Last week, we said we only recognize idols when we realize God is asking us to let something go, and we balk at the request! We need to fight it. We fear releasing it.

The spirit of entitlement works much the same way.  When it is denied or threatened … look out!  Here comes anger … feeling unduly victimized … division, … and more.

Scriptures warn us about entitlement and give us a clear indication of what we are called, in Christ, to be and do.

Do nothing [ take, expect, assume, act] from selfish ambition or conceit [entitled position] , but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped [no sense of entitlement at all], but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Phil 2:3-7