Entitlement vs. Duty | Luke 12 and 17

Welcome to Real Life. Does God owe me?

Recently, an 18-year-old sued her parents for child support and access to her college fund:

Canning, an honor student at Morris Catholic High School, claims her parents threw her out of the house and would not support her beyond her 18th birthday unless she gave up her boyfriend.[1]

She lost the first round in court. That the case even went to court marks a cultural shift. Legally, an 18-year-old is an adult. An adult is responsible for his or her own financial support. This was generally understood decades ago. After I turned 18, I no longer expected my parents to foot my bill.

The world has changed. A college degree is more necessary today than ever before. Therefore, the need for parental support has extended into a child’s 20’s. However, this hasn’t changed: parental support is tied to parental influence. When a child rejects a parent’s guidelines and expectations, should they expect that parent to fund their rebellion?

This mindset of entitlement can invade my spiritual life as well. God is my heavenly Father. He loves and supports me. Everything—and I mean everything, my very breath—comes from his hand. Am I grateful? Or, do I believe God owes me?

Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, “Come along now and sit down to eat”? Won’t he rather say, “Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink”? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:7-10 NIV)

The Bible clearly teaches that God loves me unconditionally—whether or not I snub his rules, desires and influence. However, when I reject God and his influence, I also remove myself from his protection and provision. Alternatively, when I fulfill my duty to God and others, I am rewarded.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them (Luke 12:35-37 NIV).

Though I am the child, the servant—Christ himself will serve me. The thought overwhelms me. The King of kings left his throne above to inhabit flesh. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.[2]

Lord Jesus, may my heart reflect your beautiful heart, one that loves to serve.

Taking it further …