Entitlement steals Gratitude

A landowner hired some guys to work in his vineyard and agreed to pay them a day's wage, a set amount. They began working. Three hours later the owner hired more. Another three hours passed and he hired even more. Two more times, in three hour increments, he hired more workers still. Finally, an hour before quitting time he hired a few more workers.

At sundown, he brought in the hired men to pay them. Starting with the ones hired last he paid them the same amount he agreed to pay the first guys hired. Those who worked all day thought they would receive even more based on their work versus those hired last. But the land owner paid them the agreed amount. This enraged those hired first. The boss simply replied saying he was being fair because that was the contracted deal. And furthermore he could handle his money however he wanted.

The entitlement these hired workers felt robbed them of their gratitude. Think about their current state at the beginning of the day. They were without work, waiting at the 'Labor Ready' station, when they were hired. They were grateful as one can only imagine. They would be paid. Life was good. Then, something changed when comparison and contrast began and the "What about me" monster showed up.

There is an Old Testament law that told the followers of God not to be greedy with their harvesting. In fact, they should intentionally leave some of their crop in the field for the needy. An explanation is given for the New Testament folks when Paul talks about which Christians are doing more work. He spells it out this way: It does not matter who plants or waters because neither one are the miracle workers of making things grow, only God is.

Then finally we see how this becomes reality in another letter from Paul. "...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Fulfilling the will of God makes the most sense in living a whole life. So I should give thanks and be grateful. This will keep me in the proper perspective and free from the sin of entitlement. Whenever that creeps in I simply need to practice gratitude, not FOR all things but IN all things.

What have you felt entitled to lately? raise, new job, new car, insurance, a house, a bigger house, family, bonus, all-star students, etc.

How has that robbed you of joy and stolen your gratefulness?

Ask God to bring you healing. Seek forgiveness for the sin of entitlement.