If you were to ask most Christians whether they have an entitlement attitude, they would answer with an adamant "no"! But, what they say and what they really believe may be not be the same. Think about what entitlement is. The definition according to The Free Dictionary by Farlex is: a right to benefits.
Following are three (3) common beliefs that stink of "Christian entitlement behavior".
Belief One: Praying for healing when diagnosed with a disease because Christians are not ever to be sick. Christ died to heal us both spiritually and physically.
Where in scripture does it state either thing? We are part of the human race, and as that, we ARE going to get sick, contract infections and diseases and one day die. Christ died for our sins, period. Spiritual sickness - sin, is what keeps us out of heaven; not physical ailments and diseases. He had no reason to die for our physical ailments.
Does that mean we shouldn't pray for healing when we get sick? No... the Bible says to make our requests known to God. However, God is not obligated to heal us just because we pray using the right words, have enough faith or use prayer cloths. Ouch! I know that one hit below the belt. But, it smacks of "Christian entitlement". It says in effect: "I am a Christian - therefore I have a right to 'perfect health benefits' because of accepting God's gift of salvation".
If we are not healed when we pray in faith believing, it is because God also works everything together for good to those who love Him. (Rom 8:28) We can only see today. God asks us to trust Him for the things we cannot see tomorrow, and next week and next year.
Belief Two: God is obligated to prosper us financially when we give our money as a tithe or gift.
Now, there ARE places in the Bible that say if we give we will receive. The NIV translation of Luke 6:38 says: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
The problem lies in the fact that, as humans, we tend to think only in terms of like kind. By that I mean that if we give money we think we will receive money. That is not how the laws of God work. We are body, soul and spirit. God can bless us in any of those spheres when we give our money away.
Those pastors and evangelists who encourage their congregations/followers to give in order to get, are preaching Christian financial entitlement. - and as a side-note they are generally telling people to give to them/their particular ministries. They are ultimately the ones who profit from preaching this poison.
The other problem with this kind of financial entitlement is that the Bible also says we should not give grudgingly but with a cheerful spirit. If we are giving only to get - that connotes that we wouldn't be willing to give if we didn't believe we were going to get.
Belief Three: Christians do not need to suffer the same worldly woes as non-Christians. Economic crashes, children making bad/damaging choices, marriage problems and more can all be prayed, and believed, away because as Christians we are not part of the world and therefore not part of the world's problems.
Gotquestions.org states "Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world-physically present-but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15)."
I think that says it pretty clearly. We are physically present in this world and therefore will experience what others, physically present in this world, do. We are not immune to heartache, pain, divorce, job-layoffs and other hardships simply because we are Christians. To think this isn't the case is a "not of this world entitlement" mentality. Is God a God who performs miracles that can keep some of these things from happening or soften the blow when the do? Yes! But, we do not serve a God who can be coerced, bullied or put-in-a-box. We learn from our human experiences and I do not want to miss one of these experiences - no matter how painful physically, emotionally, socially or financially - if it means I am in the middle of God's plan for my life.
There will be many who disagree with my theology and therefore this article. I can only write from the viewpoint of what I believe theologically and what I feel is the truth. Over the years, when I read things I disagree with I pray and ask God to either show me I am wrong or let me continue in disagreement. I pray you will do the same with this article.
God is omniscient, omnipotent and imminent. All knowing and powerful, yet ever-near-at-hand. That is something to grasp and hold on tightly to. Because when you really "get it", you will no longer be able to have an entitlement mentality as a Christian.
Gripped by the Greatness of God by James MacDonald is a wonderful book that will change your perspective of who God is forever. I highly recommend reading this book.
Carin Hansen has been helping women and men, of all ages, look their best through articles, blogs, books, seminars and workshops for much of her life. Because she interacts with many lives, in very personal ways, she has unique insights into the spiritual struggles both men and women alike face.
As a Christ follower and cancer survivor of 17 years, Carin is very aware that every day on earth is a gift from God - not to be wasted. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net/ to ask for prayer. The resource page will link you to a variety of articles. You can also download a free PDF or purchase a hard copy of "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" while on her site.
Following are three (3) common beliefs that stink of "Christian entitlement behavior".
Belief One: Praying for healing when diagnosed with a disease because Christians are not ever to be sick. Christ died to heal us both spiritually and physically.
Where in scripture does it state either thing? We are part of the human race, and as that, we ARE going to get sick, contract infections and diseases and one day die. Christ died for our sins, period. Spiritual sickness - sin, is what keeps us out of heaven; not physical ailments and diseases. He had no reason to die for our physical ailments.
Does that mean we shouldn't pray for healing when we get sick? No... the Bible says to make our requests known to God. However, God is not obligated to heal us just because we pray using the right words, have enough faith or use prayer cloths. Ouch! I know that one hit below the belt. But, it smacks of "Christian entitlement". It says in effect: "I am a Christian - therefore I have a right to 'perfect health benefits' because of accepting God's gift of salvation".
If we are not healed when we pray in faith believing, it is because God also works everything together for good to those who love Him. (Rom 8:28) We can only see today. God asks us to trust Him for the things we cannot see tomorrow, and next week and next year.
Belief Two: God is obligated to prosper us financially when we give our money as a tithe or gift.
Now, there ARE places in the Bible that say if we give we will receive. The NIV translation of Luke 6:38 says: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
The problem lies in the fact that, as humans, we tend to think only in terms of like kind. By that I mean that if we give money we think we will receive money. That is not how the laws of God work. We are body, soul and spirit. God can bless us in any of those spheres when we give our money away.
Those pastors and evangelists who encourage their congregations/followers to give in order to get, are preaching Christian financial entitlement. - and as a side-note they are generally telling people to give to them/their particular ministries. They are ultimately the ones who profit from preaching this poison.
The other problem with this kind of financial entitlement is that the Bible also says we should not give grudgingly but with a cheerful spirit. If we are giving only to get - that connotes that we wouldn't be willing to give if we didn't believe we were going to get.
Belief Three: Christians do not need to suffer the same worldly woes as non-Christians. Economic crashes, children making bad/damaging choices, marriage problems and more can all be prayed, and believed, away because as Christians we are not part of the world and therefore not part of the world's problems.
Gotquestions.org states "Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world-physically present-but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15)."
I think that says it pretty clearly. We are physically present in this world and therefore will experience what others, physically present in this world, do. We are not immune to heartache, pain, divorce, job-layoffs and other hardships simply because we are Christians. To think this isn't the case is a "not of this world entitlement" mentality. Is God a God who performs miracles that can keep some of these things from happening or soften the blow when the do? Yes! But, we do not serve a God who can be coerced, bullied or put-in-a-box. We learn from our human experiences and I do not want to miss one of these experiences - no matter how painful physically, emotionally, socially or financially - if it means I am in the middle of God's plan for my life.
There will be many who disagree with my theology and therefore this article. I can only write from the viewpoint of what I believe theologically and what I feel is the truth. Over the years, when I read things I disagree with I pray and ask God to either show me I am wrong or let me continue in disagreement. I pray you will do the same with this article.
God is omniscient, omnipotent and imminent. All knowing and powerful, yet ever-near-at-hand. That is something to grasp and hold on tightly to. Because when you really "get it", you will no longer be able to have an entitlement mentality as a Christian.
Gripped by the Greatness of God by James MacDonald is a wonderful book that will change your perspective of who God is forever. I highly recommend reading this book.
Carin Hansen has been helping women and men, of all ages, look their best through articles, blogs, books, seminars and workshops for much of her life. Because she interacts with many lives, in very personal ways, she has unique insights into the spiritual struggles both men and women alike face.
As a Christ follower and cancer survivor of 17 years, Carin is very aware that every day on earth is a gift from God - not to be wasted. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net/ to ask for prayer. The resource page will link you to a variety of articles. You can also download a free PDF or purchase a hard copy of "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" while on her site.
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