"Entitlements"

 

“Entitlements”

 

Early in my CPE chaplain training the Department Director departed from past practices and added a “perk” to our on-call assignments. Before long, however, we all came to see this as something we deserved. Then in a group session a colleague voiced his dissatisfaction that we weren’t getting what we were “entitled to” when circumstances beyond anyone’s control put the benefit on hold. We had to remind him (and ourselves as well) that this act of kindness was just that and not something that automatically went with the job. My guess is that this scenario has been repeated many times in different contexts.

One of the churches we attended after leaving the pastorate began a ministry of soliciting requests for needed items and services from members of the congregation and community and welcomed donations to fill as many needs as possible. But some people complained when they didn’t receive what they asked for—apparently they saw their request as an entitlement that was to be met. So the next year the church added a disclaimer to the form that there was no guarantee that the items asked for could be provided.

Before casting judgment let’s look inwardly. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines entitlement as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment”. My question for God’s people (myself included) is, “Do we feel we’re entitled to receive what we pray for and become offended if God doesn’t give it immediately?” What does God owe us? In short—nothing! But out of His great love, mercy and grace He’s provided us with “…everything we need for life and godliness….” (2 Peter 1:3, emphasis added). And Paul assures us that “…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, emphasis added).

In the early 20^th century Oswald Chambers wrote the classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. In his thoughts for May 25 he says, “Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight…Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us.” (Emphasis in the original.) This is what led to Lot’s downfall (read his tragic story in Genesis 13-19)—let this serve as a warning to us.

But praise God that we as His people have one great entitlement. In the words of our Lord’s friend and disciple, “…But to all who believed (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12, NLT, emphasis added). This great entitlement is a gift from God—have you asked for and received it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan