The American cultural landscape seems to be increasingly riddled with a sense of personal entitlement.  What I mean is simply this: we convince ourselves that we are "entitled" -- entitled to respect, entitled to our own definition of justice, entitled to pay raises irrespective of merit,  entitled to personal comfort,  entitled to sensual and sexual gratification,  entitled to credit, entitled to high grades especially if we're paying the tuition, and on and on the list goes.

But the problem reaches far deeper, I fear, eventually impacting our own spiritual development.  It floors me when I encounter this attitude within people who feel entitled to unconditional acceptance, entitled to grace, entitled to the validation of others, entitled to community involvement on their own terms, entitled to their own personal set of beliefs and practices regarding their Christian faith, and entitled to "reaping" (spiritual benefits & blessings) without having to "sow."

Whether it be subtle or out-in-the-open, there's much about the concept of entitlement that flies in the face of historic, biblical Christianity.  Grace is given to us, not owed to us.  Being a disciple of Jesus involves effort -- it's not our birthright. Who are we to feel that God "owes" us?  IAre not the scripture s replete with advice like that found in 1 Peter 5:5-6?

"...'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time." (NRSV)

Is there anyone else out there who sees and is troubled by this phenomenon?  Who's writing about it?  Who's talking about it?  Who's attempting to change it?

.

Photo credit: © Caitlin Cahill (upper right), Mark Stout (lower left): iStockphoto.com