Has there ever been a time when you felt someone owed you something just because? We tend to say that of certain generations, “They feel entitled to a job, a position, a reward, any number of things just because.”

As Solomon said, “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9); and that is true of those that feel entitled. It was certainly true in the history of Israel, and it continued throughout the scripture.

In fact, the idea of entitlement started in the Garden of Eden. Remember that the serpent said to Eve about the forbidden tree, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Satan convinced Eve that she had a right to eat of the fruit.

King David exercised his authority by sending for Bathsheba and committing adultery with her (II Samuel 11). After all, he was the king, and kings are certainly entitled to have what they want.

King Ahab wanted a certain vineyard that belonged to Naboth. When Ahab expressed an interest in purchasing the vineyard, Naboth explained that he could not sell it since it was part of his inheritance. The king felt entitled to this piece of property, so his evil wife had Naboth killed (I Kings 21).

When the rich young ruler approached Jesus, he was sincere in his question, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16-26). The fact was established that he was a good man and had obeyed the laws set down by God under the Old Law, but he lacked one thing. When Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him, he couldn’t do it. He felt he was entitled to keep his possessions.

In the story of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18, a man was forgiven a sizeable debt, one he would never be able to pay. Yet, he went out and found a man that owed him about $17.00, threw him in jail, and demanded payment. He believed he was entitled to his money, even though he owed far more and had been forgiven.

In Matthew 20, the mother of two of Jesus’ disciples wanted her sons to have special places in Jesus’ kingdom, so she approached Jesus and made the request. Why should they have places of importance above the other ten disciples? For some reason, she felt they were entitled to such positions.

I could list many more examples, but I think you can see that this attitude is nothing new. There were and are many who think they are entitled to certain things “just because”.

There are consequences to feeling entitled, and each of those mentioned faced their own “reward.”

In the case of Eve, her entitlement brought about death for all mankind. The redemption for man came in the form of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

King David suffered for his mistake. He committed adultery and murdered an innocent man. For this, Bathsheba’s child died.  David spent his life in war with other nations, and he had to endure evil from within his own family.

King Ahab had much evil brought on him. God took away his prosperity, and the dogs licked up his blood in the same place they licked Naboth’s.

The rich young ruler left the presence of Jesus sorrowful, and there is no indication he ever did as the Lord asked him to do.

The unmerciful servant was delivered to the tormentors until he could pay everything he owed the king.

The mother of two of Jesus’ disciples had to answer some hard questions. Jesus told her that these places were not His to give, and those two disciples had to suffer much in their lifetime. They suffered not because she asked for special places for them, but they suffered because they were followers of Christ.

So, what is the answer for those that feel entitled? We need to look to the scriptures to find the answer.

When the rich young ruler left Jesus, Peter said, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first’”(Matthew 19:27-30 ESV).

 Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-13).

I think the most compelling answer for us when we think we are entitled is found in Matthew 20:26-28. Jesus said, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

We are entitled to nothing on this earth. In the Day of Judgment, we will be entitled to either reward or punishment. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8).

–Sandra Oliver