Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Philippians 2:5 (MSG)
A sense of entitlement leads to a life filled with hurt and disappointment. Today, for example, we have younger generations who feel entitled to the same things it took their parents years to own. That’s a quick trip to deep debt, unhappiness and stress.
Jesus is our perfect example, and He didn’t live or act entitled. When He came to Earth, Philippians 2:6–7 (MSG) says, “he set aside the privileges of deity” and “didn’t claim special privileges.” He went to the cross willingly, never once saying, “I don’t deserve this.”
When we study Joseph’s life in Genesis, we find a similar attitude. Joseph’s older brothers sold him into slavery, and he ended up as a household servant under Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials.
Joseph could have moped around, thinking, “God spoke His blessing to Abraham, and I’m in the lineage. I deserve better!” But he didn’t. How do I know? Because Potiphar would never have put a slave with a negative attitude or sense of entitlement in charge of everything. Joseph obviously had a positive focus and perspective, despite his unfair circumstances.
God’s Word doesn’t teach us if we blow through all our money that we’re entitled to the same things as someone who has worked hard, sacrificed and managed their finances wisely. The Word teaches us that we will find promotion and success in our lives through wisdom, hard work, creativity and applying ourselves. That paves the road to a much healthier mindset and way of living.
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