Entitlement and Pride in Modern Times

Hello,

After a number of devotions recently concerning the topic of entitlement and pride, I felt it was necessary to post my musings on the subjects. For some great biblical insight concerning pride, read the comment posted by a reader on my previous blog post. Thanks again for commenting!

Entitlement can take many forms. I think in a more modern perspective, it is the idea that we are owed something for being who we are or for being raised in a certain place. We feel society owes us something just for showing up. I don't know, historically, how long this sentiment has prevailed in the US but it is definitely an issue in all aspects of our society today. No one seems to want to do the little things anymore.

I'll use a fairly typical example: no one grows up thinking they want to be a garbage man. At least not anymore. Here's the issue with that mentality: we need garbage men. But since the job is not considered glamorous or well paying it is considered beneath us somehow. These menial jobs could be done by anyone, so the mindset is, let someone else do them. It's a pass the buck mentality. And it permeates everything we do.

Every job I have ever had had a "pass the buck" moment. A moment where I could go get somebody a cup of coffee or water or make copies, etc. I can't every remember turning those moments down but there was always a feeling that perhaps I was too good to be doing those things. And I am writing today to say that the feeling I was getting was this sense of entitlement that is akin to the sin of pride.

The little things we do speak volumes of who we are as people. There are going to be times when we don't like going to get a cup of coffee or making copies or taking out the garbage but we do them because they must get done. You are no better than your neighbor living beside you. And by thinking you are, your pride blinds you to make decisions that could hurt all those who are beneath you.

As one of our speakers recently stated, "seek excellence in the small and mundane things." I cannot think of a better way to combat pride and entitlement then this ideology. If we take the time to do the little things with excellence in mind, then we will have achieved our goal of combating our pride. It will never be easy. Pride is often disguised and hidden. But it is there in all of us. It has been engrained from our very birth. But being wary of our pride and fighting it will make us all better.

Best,
David