Spiritual forces & Gospel Response
Entitlement
Many students are experiencing the highest standard of living they have ever experienced by living on campus. Facilities on most campuses are world-class, design and function are integrated, services are responsive and comprehensive. Entitlement is the right to goods & services. World class facilities, faculties, material and access to a myriad of student-oriented opportunities fosters a sense of entitlement. This attitude can be a hindrance to Gospel-witness. We in no way earn the blessings of the Gospel and we are not entitled to them. God in His mercy forgives and by His grace saves and bestows the blessings of being a child of God upon the saved. Entitlement is a twisting of the free and generous grace of God. God’s grace is rooted in His character; entitlement is rooted in ours. Practically, entitlement creates a real expectation for the best in life and the best after-life (for those who think about existence after death). “Why,” the student may ask, “should I not deserve/earn or receive heaven?” Entitlement diminishes a true sense of justice and the reality of what our sin deserves and what God in grace alone gives (Rom. 6:23). An entitled attitude works against the clear teaching of Scripture:
* Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3-4)
*Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
*Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (I Cor. 10:24)
*What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (I Cor. 4:7)
For the Christian, the high standard of living experienced on campus should result in gratitude and humility, recognizing the blessing from God. For, “what do you have that you did not receive?” While most students will graduate to a lower standard of living than experienced in college (at least for some time), all those following Christ in the college will do well to “know what it is to be in need, and [to] know what it is to have plenty.” To learn with Paul: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12-13). Better yet, the clear instruction of Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Many students are experiencing the highest standard of living they have ever experienced by living on campus. Facilities on most campuses are world-class, design and function are integrated, services are responsive and comprehensive. Entitlement is the right to goods & services. World class facilities, faculties, material and access to a myriad of student-oriented opportunities fosters a sense of entitlement. This attitude can be a hindrance to Gospel-witness. We in no way earn the blessings of the Gospel and we are not entitled to them. God in His mercy forgives and by His grace saves and bestows the blessings of being a child of God upon the saved. Entitlement is a twisting of the free and generous grace of God. God’s grace is rooted in His character; entitlement is rooted in ours. Practically, entitlement creates a real expectation for the best in life and the best after-life (for those who think about existence after death). “Why,” the student may ask, “should I not deserve/earn or receive heaven?” Entitlement diminishes a true sense of justice and the reality of what our sin deserves and what God in grace alone gives (Rom. 6:23). An entitled attitude works against the clear teaching of Scripture:
* Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3-4)
*Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
*Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (I Cor. 10:24)
*What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (I Cor. 4:7)
For the Christian, the high standard of living experienced on campus should result in gratitude and humility, recognizing the blessing from God. For, “what do you have that you did not receive?” While most students will graduate to a lower standard of living than experienced in college (at least for some time), all those following Christ in the college will do well to “know what it is to be in need, and [to] know what it is to have plenty.” To learn with Paul: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12-13). Better yet, the clear instruction of Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”