Entitlement 101

In the world of international adoption our adoption of Jonah is a bit unique. Jonah was born in Liberia and we are missionaries who live and minister in Liberia, so our adopted child remains in his home country a majority of the time. Because Jonah looks Liberian and we don't, our treatment of Jonah and his response to that treatment are often scrutinized. This scrutiny has make me painfully aware of the sad, but oh-so-human, tendency to feel entitled. 

"Entitlement" is defined by Merriam-Webster as "the condition of having a right to have, do, or get something: the feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something (such as special privileges)" While Jonah is most often a delight, he can at times, like all of us, begin to display an entitlement mentality. And it has occurred to me if Jonah acts like an entitled child—one who believes by virtue of his existence he deserves good food, nice clothes, a good education, etc., etc., etc.—the Liberians around us will be horrified. Because of this simple reality I have made a great effort to teach Jonah to say please and thank you whenever appropriate. And he is doing a great job.

But even as I teach Jonah to say please and thank you, I am deeply aware from personal experience that entitlement is a heart issue more than a manners issue. If I think I deserve good food, beautiful clothes, a nice house or kind friends, if and when I get any or all of those things I will not be grateful. Furthermore, if I don't get them, I will feel cheated. However, if I understand each of those things is a gift with which God may or may not see fit to bless me, my reaction will be quite different. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." If I would be like Christ I must give up my entitlement mentality in exchange for a thankful spirit. If I would be like Christ I must let go of the secular mirage of a pain-free, happy-go-lucky, fully-entitled life. If I would be like Christ I must yield to the One who gives life in abundance—via a cross. 

Image Pixabay "geralt"

See Affair-Proofing My Marriage
See A Childlike Faith