Saturday Morning Devotional

Entitlement – Not a New Concept

We hear so much these days about the younger generation and entitlement. I am not saying that in general it is not a problem, but after reading in Luke this last week, I can see that it is not a new problem. Let’s talk about entitlement – not a new concept!

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Servant Leadership is the Opposite of Entitlement

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In Luke 17:7-10, Jesus tells the story of a servant doing his job. He did what he was expected to do. Then the scripture says,

“In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.'”
Luke 17:10

There are so many lessons in this for us. The first one that comes to mind is not to be arrogant in any way when we do something for the Lord. After all that He has done for us and continues to do, our very best is the least we can do!

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I also see this applying to our earthly responsibilities as well. Let’s talk about the workplace. Entitlement in the workplace says:

• “I did…, so I deserve…”
• “That’s not in my job description.”
• “No one else is doing…”

And the most common one that I used to use all the time when I was a testing coordinator –

• “I didn’t get my degree to do…”

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Instead, I think a lack of entitlement shows servant leadership and gratitude. Nothing is really owed to us.

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Thankfulness is Present When We Do Not Feel Entitled

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Continuing on in Luke 17:11-19, Jesus came across 10 lepers and healed them. Look carefully at the last part of these verses:

“But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him, and he was a Samaritan.”
Luke 17:15-16

Jesus pointed out that none of the others returned to give thanks, only the foreigner. Since Samaritans were looked down on, he may have felt unworthy to have received healing, making him very grateful. The others may have felt more deserving of the healing because of who they were, making them less grateful. When we think we deserve something, we are less thankful when we receive it.

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Entitlement Quotes

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Song

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It has been a long time since I have even thought about this song, but it is such a good one! Here is the song, “Thank You for Giving to the Lord.” It shows how all the things we do here on Earth can really make a difference in the Kingdom of Heaven. That makes them a privilege instead of a duty.

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I know we hear so much about this generation having a sense of entitlement, but you can see that it stems all the way back to Biblical times. Seeing the ways we feel entitled or ungrateful is the first step in fixing the entitlement problem.

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I am working on my own sense of entitlement, and I am choosing to do better. The more gratitude I can show, the better I will be. As a reminder, here are some of the things I am so thankful for today! Will you join me in fixing our part of the entitlement problem? Entitlement – It is not a new concept!

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Have a Grace & Joy-filled day!

Susan

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19