Do you have a false sense of entitlement?

To be entitled means that you have the  proper authority for seeking or claiming something without having to do anything to earn it. A false sense of entitlement is an  unrealistic, unmerited or inappropriate expectation of favorable treatment at the hands of others.

Society entitles people  to certain things from their parents, spouses,  employees and bosses. Children for example are entitled to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and a good education.  However some children are so pampered and overindulged with things they want over and above their needs and often beyond what parents can reasonably afford such that they develop a false sense of entitlement: they feel that the whole world owes them.  They grow to be dependent and lazy expecting to receive whatever they want,  and are unable to show gratitude for whatever they get because they  perceive it to be less than they deserve. They constantly feel angry, resentful and frustrated by others.

Similarly, some people feel personally affronted that others seem to have so much more of what they want. They feel that God owes them prosperity, abundance and comfort. They feel resentful to God because there is so much they want and do not have, and fail to feel gratitude for the many blessings they have been given.

But God has not promised to give us all the desires of our hearts., in accordance with our desired timing and place, no matter how "good" or righteous we are. Yes, we are his children. However he does not promise people an easy life on earth where everything falls into our lap.Instead the Bible says, "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2:16 E.S.V )

Let us banish that sense of false entitlement to worldly things and show our gratitude to God in humility and service to him and other people. Everything we get in this world is through grace and favor from God.

We are however all called to enjoy a relationship with Him which encompasses forgiveness of sins, help in warding off enemy attacks, and everlasting life. That is what we are entitled to claim through salvation.

“The careless soul receives the Father's gifts as if it were a way things had of dropping into his hand yet is he ever complaining, as if someone were accountable for the checks which meet him at every turn. For the good that comes to him, he gives no thanks—who is there to thank? At the disappointments that befall him he grumbles—there must be someone to blame!” George MacDonoald