I understand there are times when we may need a helping hand to get back up on our feet in life. Most everyone has experienced one time or another when life has dealt a hard blow that has felt undeserving. But needing a helping hand is different than expecting a “hand-out” for doing nothing to change our circumstances. There are those in government, higher education and social circles who promote the idea what is yours is mine, and I deserve what you have. Forget earning what you receive or learning the self-discipline of delayed gratification – waiting until you can buy it.
“ME” mentality has taken things to a whole new level: ENTITLEMENT.
I do NOT see anywhere in God’s Word where the Bible says, “we deserve what others have”, or we deserve something for nothing. On the contrary, what the Bible does say is we deserve death and punishment for our sins. We are ALL sinners: “There is no one righteous, not even one . . . For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Bible: Romans 3:10, 23)
And if we do not work and are not willing to put our faith into action, then we are considered lazy, and we will NOT receive rewards from our Lord.
“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgments.” (Proverbs 12:12)
Or how about this proverb: “As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.” (Proverb 26:14)
The Apostle Paul said, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thess. 3:10) The bottom line is we are lazy if we are not willing to do something with our life and simply depend upon others to give us something we are not willing to work for. Yes, this is ENTITLEMENT mentality, and it is prevalent within our society today and being taught to the youth.
Entitlement is laziness at its worst. It’s not only being unwilling to work, but also expecting others to give us what they have worked for and we have not.
Mr. Meant-To
Mr. Meant-To has a comrade, and his name is Didn’t-Do;
Have you ever chanced to meet them? Did they ever call on you?
These two fellows live together in the house of Never-Win,
And I’m told that it is haunted by the ghost of Might-Have-Been.
Benjamin Franklin
“How long will you lay there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.”
(Proverbs 6:9)
