Do You Have an Attitude of Entitlement?

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

Do you have an ‘I-O-YOU’ attitude or a ‘U-O-ME’ attitude? What gives us an attitude of entitlement? It’s found in the middle of the word entitlement itself: ‘title’. We assume people owe us because of the title we hold in their lives: wife, husband, mother, brother, daughter, friend, pastor, donor, employee, boss, etc. We think of our title as a title deed that gives us the right to whatever advantage we expect. Paul described the essence of discipleship in these words: ‘By love serve one another.’ If you have an attitude of entitlement, here are some strategies to help you overcome it:

1) Understand the difference between your ‘rights’ and your ‘desires’. You have the right to expect your husband or wife to be faithful to you, but you don’t have the right to expect them to wait on you hand and foot. ‘For God so loved…that he gave’ (John 3:16). True love is marked by giving, not taking.

2) Live by the Golden Rule (see Matthew 7:12). Jesus said that whatever you want others to do for you, take the initiative and begin doing it for them. You say, ‘But what if they don’t return the favor?’ God will reward you anyway! ‘He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do’ (Hebrews 6:10).

3) Never assume that a person’s past kindness creates an ongoing obligation to you. God may use others to bless you, but He alone must always be the source you trust to meet your needs (see James 1:17).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my attitude of entitlement. Help me have an attitude of a servant to serve others as You have done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen