Will you contend with God? 

Perhaps the most culture defining attitude I see at work, in society, and among Christians is entitlement. The 'why me?' has morphed into the 'I deserve...' statement. This is the most prevalent attitude with which I contend, week after week. This is the defining attitude of our culture.

This attitude is used to sell luxury cars and exotic vacation trips. It is used to market spa-tubs for the bathroom and skin lotions for the weary. It has reached a trademarked pinnacle in the fast-food industry with a jingle all its own, "you deserve a break today..."

One young fellow, a recent U of A graduate, said that he had turned down all of the offers that were in his 'career' field because he "deserve(d) more money than they offered!" I asked him what he had done to deserve more money than they were offering. His reply was that he had graduated from college.

His line of thinking seemed logical to him even though any position in that career field required a minimum of a bachelor's with a state certification. He inquired about similar posts in several neighboring states, all with responses in the same fiscal neighborhood.

I frequently hear kids say, "they think they're somebody. They think they are such hot stuff. They think they are better than me." Because these kids are confined, frequently due to violence, or anger control problems, I have the luxury of pursuing this line of thinking week after week, kid after kid.

There seems to be a disconnect in our society with concepts of performance/compensation, responsibility/accountability, and cause/effect. We have short-circuited reward and recompense to provide immediate gratification and satiation. We have nurtured a culture of "entitlement."

Unfortunately, this attitude is exhibited by many Christians. It comes across, as with Job, during times of difficulty. It comes out during moments of envious comparisons. It prevents growth in relationships and the establishment of new relationships.

This attitude kills a spirit of generosity. It is completely antithetical to generosity. It prevents the blessings of God!

Proverbs 22.9) A generous man will himself be blessed...

Proverbs 37.25) I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26) They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

As to feeling that others "feel they are better than me..." why the feelings of insignificance? A sense of significance, making a difference, self-esteem, comes from accomplishments. It stands on the three legged stool of dignity, respect and honor. It is an old philosophical concept...so are these writings from Proverbs.

These concepts are still valid today! Generous people are blessed! Entitled folks need to do something with significance for people who are truly disenfranchised! Entitled folks really do need to understand that they aren't any better than anyone else.