Entitlement or Privilege, What is Your View?

James 4:1-12 (MSG) - 1) Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. 2) You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. 3) And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. 4) YOU'RE CHEATING ON GOD. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. 5) And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." 6) And what he gives in Love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." 7) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud NO to the Devil and watch him scamper. 8) Say a quiet YES to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. 9) Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. 10) Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. 11) Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. 12) God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

Normally, I don't use the entire scriptures unless I am proving a point. Well here is a very simple but important one. We all too often feel we are entitled to so many things in this world, when in reality we should feel privileged and blessed just to experience those things. When you stand proud, want your way, act spoiled and quarrel over the things you think you have a right to, this is entitlement and "YOUR CHEATING GOD" James 4:4.


Our God is a jealous God and by behaving this way, this could make Him very angry. A worldly example of entitlement is heard daily in the employment community, W.I.F.M. (what's in it for me). Unfortunately this is the way many many people think in everyday life. How about asking yourself whats in it for God? When you are making that deal, standing in that line, dealing with your wait staff, or even speaking with your spouse/ family, you should ask how you can please God in this situation. When you show up at church on Sundays, this is a privilege to be able to hear the word of God spoken into your lives, without fear of death or imprisonment. There are still countries today and even readers of this blog in those countries that risk these things to hear the Word. Have you even pondered the fact that God fills our lungs with air and yet you may feel entitled to this also, when in fact it is a privilege to have such a forgiving and gracious God, for giving us what we don't deserve and not what we deserve. Galatians 2:16, Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

 When we change our view and look at things through Christ's eyes, our whole life changes. We now see the good in those the world calls bad, we have patience with those we once were short with, we see and hear everything and everyone with the heart after Gods own. We now are open to receive the blessings of Christ and many will visibly see the difference in our character. The Holy Spirit changes everything about us. Life becomes brilliant and vivid for the first time. You literally come into the light. James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

Lets Pray: Father God, please allow us to see the flaws in our behaviors. Allow us to have the strength oh God to look to you for the Holy Spirit. Father we want to change, we want to see the world for what it is and not all the bitter, pain filled, destructive mess that it has become. Father we ask for you to forgive us of our sins, guide us to a better path and show us the direction you want us to follow. Father we Love You and wish to be more Christ like daily. We ask this in Jesus sweet name...AMEN.