Hi and welcome. I am jumping one lesson from the Temptation of Jesus series, the last one, “Pride of Life.” The Lord impressed this message upon my heart, and I need to share this before completing the third lesson.
Okay so what does entitlement mean? Definition from the web, “Entitlement” typically refers to the belief or expectation that one deserves certain privileges, benefits, or rights without necessarily having to earn them or fulfill corresponding responsibilities. It can also refer to the actual rights or benefits that someone is entitled to receive based on law, agreement, or social norms”. So the entitlement I am referring to is, the belief or expectation that one deserves certain privileges, benefits, or rights without necessarily having to earn them or fulfill corresponding responsibilities.
During my quiet time, I was reading Matthew 20, the story of the workers in the vineyard. I just never really understood the logic that Jesus explained here. So I asked the Lord for a deeper dive as I also expressed the same sentiments as the earlier workers who were paid the same wages as those who came to work later. This was because I have always believed that God’s love for me should be greater than his love for unbelievers or less deserving people, and this created within me a sense of entitlement.
The answer came as God brought further light into my heart with these teachings in Matthew 20. In the parable, all the workers were given the same wages, and some, like the earlier workers (me), felt like they deserved better wages than the same one given to the others who joined at a later stage. But, the master explained that what he has and chooses to provide is his – in essence, that it is his to do as he pleases. This jolted me right out of my reverie. Here I am thinking that I deserved special treatment as a Christian and should not share the same promises or blessings (privileges) which God gives me with someone “less deserving.” But here was God telling me that whatever I have is from him (Romans 11:36, 1 Chronicles 29:14-19), a gift from him (James 1:17, 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, Deuteronomy 8:18), and in the same manner he chooses to bless me by giving me is the same way he gives to anyone he so pleases (Romans 9:14-16, Matt 20:15). The same God gives the “deserving” and the“undeserving “
Mind you, all the workers were believers, as the bible clearly states that they were called to work in the masters vineyard. But they were called at different times. It could mean that some got saved earlier than others or simply responded to the call of the master at different times in their lives. The earlier workers felt they worked harder (my mindset) and as such did not think it was fair that the master paid the same wages to the people who worked lesser hours.
I have always been a little miffed if I am honest when people I do not think deserve things get them. I get kinda angry thinking that as a Christian I deserve more. I used to feel a certain kind of way when God would do a miracle in my life and then I would see the same feat in an unbeliever’s life or someone I believed was less deserving. I believed I had put in more work or have been a believer longer than that person and was more deserving. It used to irk me to no end as I would think that why would they also have the same miracle or blessing as I?
Apparently my heart (eye) had been evil or unhealthy Matthew 6:22-23, and if I must confess unknown to me prideful – Galatians 6:4-5. If God gave me something, I had the mindset that he should not give it to a less deserving person or even an unbeliever. I was comparing myself to them. This line of reasoning is not in alignment with God. This is because God loves us all (both believers and unbelievers), as is stated in Romans 5:8. Even when we had no knowledge of him, he happily gave us life, gifts, talents, and grace to make wealth. He also gave us the greatest gift, his son, Jesus Christ, to help us be reconciled to him at no cost whatsoever on our part. He bore all the cost.
Back then, we did not know him in the sense that we did not have a relationship with him but he was patient with us (2 Peter 3:9) and continued to give us until we came to know him. God’s love is all about giving, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, Hebrews 13:16, James 3:14-17, 1 John 3:16-18 (I could go on and on). However, even though his love for mankind is universal, his love for me as his child is special and unique. His love has helped me to know him as his child and to respond to his love. Since it is by his grace that I am saved and not through my own works (Ephesians 2:8-9), I should not be jealous when he shows this love for other too. But I will bear in mind that a parent’s love for each offspring is uniquely different.
Since I believe this and have accepted his son which has grafted me into his eternal family. It means I am in the family, I ought not to be jealous over how God pursues others with his love. I am already in the family 😉and he will not withhold anything I need from me Philippians 4:19. This is the cure for pride. It is an ongoing process for me as I renew my mind in this context. I am constantly and consciously now refusing my old way of thinking and refusing to allow it determine my emotions anymore or my actions and I can only say praise God for bringing me to this realization. It was a tough one to take but very much needed nonetheless. This is changing my perspective and I give God all the glory in Jesus name, amen.
Well, if you have stuck with me this far and you are not born again. Then permit me to share the gospel with you. The Bible says that we are separated from God because of sin, but he loves you and me so much that he gave his son Jesus to die for us John 3:16. If you receive him, you will receive salvation that is eternal life, and you will be reconciled back to God. But if you reject him, then nothing but eternal damnation awaits you, which is not God’s plan for you.
Why, you may think, do I need God, particularly as we like to do things our own way and go along the path that we believe is best for our lives (Romans 3:23). Because the Bible says that God created man for himself (Genesis 1:27, Ephesians 2:10, Revelations 4:11). We are made in God’s image not to live our lives for ourselves. If we are honest, doing things our way has often resulted in an emptiness we cannot fill. That emptiness is made for God alone to fill; for us to live our lives for him the way he planned lies the true path to fulfillment.
If you would like to know God, you can say this simple prayer, “Dear God, forgive me for my sins. I admit that I have rebelled against you by being the lord of my own life. Please come into my heart and help me know you, in Jesus name”. That’s all; if you say this prayer, you are saved and automatically grafted into the family of believers. Welcome to the family, where your life will never be the same again (courtesy of the Holy Spirit). I encourage you to get into a bible based church the Spirit will lead you to and enjoy your new birth. God bless you. I love you.
Please contact me! I will be glad to hear from you.