Read the daily newspaper, watch any news show, scan the internet blog posts, or watch people in public and you will no doubt see people who believe themselves to possess the "gift of entitlement." Just this morning, headlines shared the news that insurance fraud is up during these desperate economic times. A tiny little "human interest" story was tucked into one page relating the actions of a thrill-seeking 60-something male who walked through a Walmart thumping little kids on the head with his keys. Stories of robberies are sprinkled among accounts of "nations warring against nations." All of this makes for some pretty dismal reading and gives people like me the opportunity for deep reflection on what's at the root of all these situations. Not to over-simplify or minimize the gravity of any of the aforementioned (and the millions not mentioned) accounts, I do believe that the source lies in the hearts of people. Human nature tends toward a "I deserve this" mentality. When let run its course, this "gift of entitlement" produces hurtful results, both for the "entitled" and those who are it's victims.
The Bible begins with a vivid example - Adam and Eve. Eve decided God was holding out on her, denying her and Adam access to the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. You know the outcome; Eve felt "entitled" to have her eyes opened, so off she went to test the fruit and invite Adam to join her. We have struggled with the knowledge of good and evil ever since. Arguing that no one but Eve was hurt in this little transaction is impossible!
Another story involves a man, Haman, who had been elevated by King Ahasuerus to second in command. Haman really embraced his "gift," to the point that when Mordecai, a devoted follower of the God of Israel, refused to bow down to him, he finagled a King-decreed punishment for Mordecai and all Jews - they were to be killed! Haman had nothing to lose and everything to gain; he felt he deserved this kind of honor. This is a fascinating story of self-deception and what happens when an individual is convinced of his invincibility. The short version is that Haman's moment of glory - the one for which he is most remembered - was his hanging from the gallows he had built for Mordecai! Not only was Haman destroyed, so were his ten sons and hundreds of enemies of the Jews. One man's sense of entitlement led not only to his own demise but to that of others.
Buying into the notion that self-serving actions don't hurt self and others is deliberate self-deception that leads to ruin. It's sin. It comes from the heart. Mark 7:20-23 provides a bleak picture of the heart of man, the desires that reside there that defile. Among the list are things like theft, covetousness, pride, deceit, and foolishness. Any one of these can lead people to convince themselves that they are justified in whatever they are doing because they "deserve it." The thought of the hurt to others and to self is buried deep and ignored. The results are destruction.
We can be seduced by the experiences in our lives to become one of the many who claim the "gift of entitlement," taking matters into our own hands, or we can turn our attention to God's word and what he promises. Matthew 10:30-33,39 and 16:24-27 promise that we are of great value and if we take up the cross of discipleship we may lose our lives for Christ's sake but we will also gain them and be rewarded by our Heavenly Father. Earlier in Matthew we're promised that our obedience in secret will be openly rewarded by God (6:1-8), and we're warned to "lay up treasures" in Heaven because "...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (6:19-21).
We may be be tempted to get out ahead of God and take what we believe to be ours, but we need to wait! Self-promotion leads to self-destruction. We only hurt ourselves and others. God promises great things for us, not only in this life but in the one to come, if we will trust him (I John 3:1-2,22; 4:4; 5:14-15).
Lord, I'm impatient. I sometimes want what I want NOW and assume that I have a "right" to it! That's not your way, though. You have instructed us to put others before ourselves and to trust you to take care of all our needs. You know when we need promoting and when we need to stay where we are. You know when to reward us and how. I pray for a heart that is fully surrendered to you and strength to remain humble. Amen.
