Blessing be upon you!
I don’t know about you, but I find it really hard to deal with people who have an entitled mentality. Honestly, it’s one of my weaknesses. I don’t have much patience for people like this and I am not a gracious as maybe I should be. Especially when someone acts like the world owes them something.
Back in 2000, my grandmother passed away. Her loss left a huge hole in our family. Not long after, I moved back in with my grandfather. Strangely enough, it was peaceful. If you knew how fiery my grandfather could be, you’d understand why that surprised me.
But about six months later, my uncle, who was more like an older brother since we grew up together, moved in too. That’s when things started to go downhill. The tension in the house was thick. My grandfather and uncle were so much alike. Both were strong-willed, both quick-tempered, and they clashed constantly. I’d come home from work to find the two of them arguing almost coming to blows and I’d end up playing peacemaker. You know how family drama goes, everyone has their share of it.
One day, after another long day of work and conflict, I’d had enough. I argued with my brother and asked him why he was even there. He was 29 years old, perfectly capable of living on his own. His response shocked me: “Because Papi (Dad) owes me.”
That hit a nerve. I couldn’t believe the sense of entitlement in that statement. I told him straight up that no one owes him anything. His father did his job in raising him, providing for him, and that it was time to grow up. I was only 19 at the time, but even then, I knew something was off about that attitude. Not long after that, I moved out and started fresh with a roommate.
That experience stuck with me because it revealed how ugly entitlement can be. Entitlement is the belief that you deserve something, that you have a right to it. And sure, there are times when people are rightfully entitled to things. But the real issue is how we carry ourselves. Are we demanding? Arrogant? Do we treat others especially those who serve us as less than ourselves?
Here’s the truth I’ve learned. The opposite of entitlement is gratitude.
Entitlement grows from pride, but gratitude is the fruit of humility. Gratitude is the believer’s love language to God. When we thank Him, we’re acknowledging His goodness, His mercy, and His grace. We recognize that without Him, we’re nothing.
So, as you walk through life, whether it’s with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers, let humility be what shines through you. Let your gratitude speak louder than someone else’s entitlement. Because in a world where everyone seems to think they’re owed something, a thankful heart stands out as a powerful testimony.
Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
In His Love,
Pastor Lu