I Am Entitled!

I heard someone say the other day: “I should have that! I am entitled!” And the statement reminded me of a paragraph in David Steindl-Rast’s book, “You Are Here: Key Words For Life Explorers.” He writes: “Entitlement is the unfounded conviction that Life owes me a living. It misses the fact that everything is gift, even my very existence. The more we realize this fact, the more the sense of entitlement will be replaced by a sense of gratitude. This would mark a decisive switch toward a healthy society because gratefulness appreciates and cares for things, for example, the environment, while entitlement’s way of taking everything for granted leads to careless use and abuse.” I wonder how life would be different, how today would be different, if we regarded everything as gift and treated each moment, each breath, with thankful minds and hearts? In a “throw-away” society where everything is for my personal use and benefit, little is valued, waste is enormous, and callous self-interest rules the day.

The way of Jesus prescribes a different approach. Humility, gratitude and stewardship come to mind. No, we are not entitled. Pray that leaders of nations, all who govern, may realize the inherent dangers in personal and national entitlement.