“Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?’” (Joshua 17:14)
For almost two decades, my wife and I directed a camp for young people between the ages of 9 and 18 and we had the awesome privilege to guide and influence literally hundreds of young people and adults. We were acutely aware of the responsibility of this opportunity. On opening night of each camp we would go over all the rules, etc. and we would make it as enjoyable as we could while at the same time sobering as to safety. There was a drainage pond located below the lodge and it was strictly off limits for a number of reasons not the least of which were snakes and the toxic water
The seemingly growing mentality that is pervading our society at all levels of entitlement is an attitude that is just like the water in that drainage pond … it is toxic and dangerous! This toxic attitude produces self-centeredness, indifference to others and quite simply, an attitude that is opposite of a Christ-like spirit.
Perhaps it would be well for us to define entitlement in order to recognize what it is: Entitlement is the belief that I am exempt from responsibility and I am owed special treatment. It is characterized by a disposition that says its possessor is above the rules others must obey. The warning we all must heed is that it is so much easier to see and recognize in others than in ourselves!
So that we might better understand how dangerous entitlement really is, consider the fact that this attitude of heart displays itself in a disregard for the Word of God and the possession of some sense of being entitled to interpret the Word of God according to how we would prefer it to be rather than accepting it as the inspired and revealed Word of God!
A sense of entitlement is not something new that emerged from the ashes of life. When one reads Joshua 17, it becomes clear this was an attitude of heart even way back then. Just to set the context of Joshua 17, God’s people have conquered a large portion of the Promised Land and the time has come to give each of the tribes of Israel their allotted land. The tribe of Manasseh felt they should be entitled to more land than was given to them (by the way, a gift/blessing from God).
Read the portion of Joshua 17:12-18, with emphasis on verses 15 -18. Joshua was telling the people they were being given one allotment, that there were other opportunities for them to expand their land, but that they would need to work for it by conquering those enemies who were still there. You see, what Joshua recognized is what we as parents, grandparents, adults and the young must realize … catering to an indulgent people will not help them in the least. The fact is giving in to the self-centered will only contribute and reinforce the problem of heart rather than cure it.
It is without question a real challenge to overcome this mindset in ourselves, much less in those we love and care so much for, but overcome we must when we choose the course of discipline, honesty, integrity and responsibility.
Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist (1919-1953) who was named by TIME magazine one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century made the following statement that holds much relevance to our post:
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” Sir Edmund Hillary
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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