Entitled

The look on his face said it all. “But-,” he started. My son couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.

“You heard me,” I told him, “turn the television off.” His steps were slow and methodical. He turned again to look at my eyes before he hit the off button, just to make sure he heard correctly.

After turning off the TV, he stood frozen looking completely baffled. “I haven’t even watched a single show today. Not one!”

He continued, “My room is clean. My bed is made. My teeth are brushed.”

My child felt it was his right to watch television – like he could turn in ration tickets for his favorite shows.

He confused privilege with entitlement.

It’s amazing how much I do the same. Sometimes I mistakenly think if I complete everything on a spiritual checklist, I am entitled to certain blessings, and I, too, am baffled and confused when God doesn’t grant them to me.

“Why don’t we have more money, Lord? I’ve been spending time in Your Word. I’m all prayed up. I even made a meal for a family in need,” I plead with God.

I search in the mailbox for checks. I hunt the sky for helicopters that might be dropping a shipment in my yard. When the doorbell rings, I run thinking it must be Publishers’ Clearinghouse. Each time I return disappointed.

Like my son, I have confused privilege with entitlement. I am not entitled to anything, but death. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 6:23 NIV God has freely given me the privilege of eternal life with Him. My focus should be on that gift.

How many times as Christians do we think we are entitled to certain things? Good health? Successful children? Happy marriages? Nice homes? Unfortunately, we aren’t entitled to any of that stuff. But we have been given a tremendous privilege – eternal life with Christ. And isn’t that enough?

I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 NIV

4 Responses to Entitled
  1. Joanne Sher
    August 6, 2010 | 7:41 am

    Such an important, and powerful, reminder of what the REAL blessing from the Lord is.

  2. Joanne Sher
    August 6, 2010 | 7:42 am

    Powerful reminder of what the REAL blessing from God is. Thank you.

  3. Deb
    August 6, 2010 | 10:14 am

    Wow, well said Carol, and I’m sorry to say soooo true. Thanks for this great reminder!!

  4. Shay
    August 7, 2010 | 10:15 am

    Thank you for this – I really needed to hear it!