Entitlement: someone who thinks something is owed
to them by life in general; or because they are who they are. http://www.urbandictionary.com
I can think of quite a few people who may struggle with improper forms of entitlement, feeling like the world owes them something more than the life they were given. people tend to hope others get "what they deserve" without really
giving thought to what they themselves deserve. Children, especially teenagers, rarely skip this struggle either. Who hasn’t heard a teen feeling like they deserve a nice car, the best phone, or some other expensive item? All too often, I have heard that the child feels they deserve the same as their parent who is financially supporting the family. Rewarding children for excellent behavior or surprising them with a gift out of love is one thing, but when the child expects the same as their adult working parent without doing anything at all, something has gone awry.
We are all told we are special, which we are because God made us. I don’t know where many people then draw the conclusion that since they are special, they deserve better than other people. The world and advertisements do tend to repeat the message, “You deserve the best.” Also, it’s repeatedly confirmed by marketing that one should not have to wait for “the best”, whether or not you have done anything of any value or have the funds to support “the best”.
The bible states quite simply:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV) For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
The basic idea is you deserve what you earn. You work for what you get. Does it get simpler than this? What happens when we stray from this idea?
We love our kids and want to give our kids the best, but what if we are setting them up to have major amounts of debt, no retirement, or an inability to own a home? Our grandparents used to saving up forever to afford what we now just put on credit. While credit does allow us to have more reasonable access to homes and cars that we wouldn’t otherwise, it also allows for financial detriment. Astronomical unsecured debts for items that are out of date or replaced before we even pay them off, does not lead anyone to a secure financial or spiritual future. In addition, it shifts our focus from what we really do deserve. We deserve a life in which we build character, bear spiritual fruit (how about some love and patience?), and affect the world in a positive way.
to them by life in general; or because they are who they are. http://www.urbandictionary.com
I can think of quite a few people who may struggle with improper forms of entitlement, feeling like the world owes them something more than the life they were given. people tend to hope others get "what they deserve" without really
giving thought to what they themselves deserve. Children, especially teenagers, rarely skip this struggle either. Who hasn’t heard a teen feeling like they deserve a nice car, the best phone, or some other expensive item? All too often, I have heard that the child feels they deserve the same as their parent who is financially supporting the family. Rewarding children for excellent behavior or surprising them with a gift out of love is one thing, but when the child expects the same as their adult working parent without doing anything at all, something has gone awry.
We are all told we are special, which we are because God made us. I don’t know where many people then draw the conclusion that since they are special, they deserve better than other people. The world and advertisements do tend to repeat the message, “You deserve the best.” Also, it’s repeatedly confirmed by marketing that one should not have to wait for “the best”, whether or not you have done anything of any value or have the funds to support “the best”.
The bible states quite simply:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV) For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
The basic idea is you deserve what you earn. You work for what you get. Does it get simpler than this? What happens when we stray from this idea?
We love our kids and want to give our kids the best, but what if we are setting them up to have major amounts of debt, no retirement, or an inability to own a home? Our grandparents used to saving up forever to afford what we now just put on credit. While credit does allow us to have more reasonable access to homes and cars that we wouldn’t otherwise, it also allows for financial detriment. Astronomical unsecured debts for items that are out of date or replaced before we even pay them off, does not lead anyone to a secure financial or spiritual future. In addition, it shifts our focus from what we really do deserve. We deserve a life in which we build character, bear spiritual fruit (how about some love and patience?), and affect the world in a positive way.