Entitlement
My favorite topic to write about is hope. Every now and then I see things in life that drain the hope out of people in such subtle ways that most miss it until it is too late. Today I am going to touch on a subject that many think about yet are unwilling or unable to do anything about.
I will call it entitlement. Not the entitlement that is in the news on a daily basis due to it being an election year. I am talking about people that feel they are entitled to something due to who they think they are, how much money they have, the job they hold, or worse who their parents are.
I know a person that for years his success had him at the top of the money ladder. He was at every social function you could be at as long as it was the elite and he was the center of attention. No one liked him because he treated others as though they were beneath him. His kids had everything yet worked for nothing. He and his family were despised by most people because they felt they were entitled to the finer things in life due to who they were. What made it so sad is the family thought everyone loved them because of who they were. Fast forward a few years.
Over a short period of time the family started losing their fortune. Granted they falsely rode the high horse as long as they could acting as though things were still great yet everyone knew the truth. On their fall from grace they found themselves with no friends at all. Matter of fact most people got pleasure in watching the demise of the entitled family. The house was the first to go, then the cars, the pride, what little dignity they had, and then the suicide of one of their children that could no longer handle the humiliation.
This person is now one of the finest people I have ever met. Our conversations are about how horrible a person he was yet I always remind how great a man he is now. He walks with the light of Christ in every step. He has made money again yet lives in a small home and drives an older but nice vehicle. He now gives money to support many local charities as well as donates as much of his time as possible. To talk to this man would move you to tears as well as action in your own life.
I read recently that one of the worst things you can give your children is the feeling of entitlement. The next worst thing is to leave them large inheritances that they did not work for. The statistics are staggering as to how these people turn out. The greatest gift we can give our children is how to love, how to work hard, and the belief that they can move mountains. People can soar to amazing heights when pushed hard to do so. Dreams and ambitions are built and stunning creations made by the people that use their God given abilities. For those of you old enough to remember the commercials on TV years ago that said "a mind is a terrible thing to waste", let me just say that is a true statement.
We are not entitled to any monetary gift we did not work for. We are entitled to work hard, be honest, love, forgive, share, grow, develop, and make each generation stronger (not wealthier) than the one before. The model of Christ is not about handouts or where you place yourself or your kids on the social ladder. The model of Christ is about labor of love. Remember the work is plentiful the laborers or few.
This man shared great lessons with me. I am confident he paid the price for high living and now gives back with love to his community more than he probably took. He is a man of God walking the walk.
peace to you
Dale
I will call it entitlement. Not the entitlement that is in the news on a daily basis due to it being an election year. I am talking about people that feel they are entitled to something due to who they think they are, how much money they have, the job they hold, or worse who their parents are.
I know a person that for years his success had him at the top of the money ladder. He was at every social function you could be at as long as it was the elite and he was the center of attention. No one liked him because he treated others as though they were beneath him. His kids had everything yet worked for nothing. He and his family were despised by most people because they felt they were entitled to the finer things in life due to who they were. What made it so sad is the family thought everyone loved them because of who they were. Fast forward a few years.
Over a short period of time the family started losing their fortune. Granted they falsely rode the high horse as long as they could acting as though things were still great yet everyone knew the truth. On their fall from grace they found themselves with no friends at all. Matter of fact most people got pleasure in watching the demise of the entitled family. The house was the first to go, then the cars, the pride, what little dignity they had, and then the suicide of one of their children that could no longer handle the humiliation.
This person is now one of the finest people I have ever met. Our conversations are about how horrible a person he was yet I always remind how great a man he is now. He walks with the light of Christ in every step. He has made money again yet lives in a small home and drives an older but nice vehicle. He now gives money to support many local charities as well as donates as much of his time as possible. To talk to this man would move you to tears as well as action in your own life.
I read recently that one of the worst things you can give your children is the feeling of entitlement. The next worst thing is to leave them large inheritances that they did not work for. The statistics are staggering as to how these people turn out. The greatest gift we can give our children is how to love, how to work hard, and the belief that they can move mountains. People can soar to amazing heights when pushed hard to do so. Dreams and ambitions are built and stunning creations made by the people that use their God given abilities. For those of you old enough to remember the commercials on TV years ago that said "a mind is a terrible thing to waste", let me just say that is a true statement.
We are not entitled to any monetary gift we did not work for. We are entitled to work hard, be honest, love, forgive, share, grow, develop, and make each generation stronger (not wealthier) than the one before. The model of Christ is not about handouts or where you place yourself or your kids on the social ladder. The model of Christ is about labor of love. Remember the work is plentiful the laborers or few.
This man shared great lessons with me. I am confident he paid the price for high living and now gives back with love to his community more than he probably took. He is a man of God walking the walk.
peace to you
Dale
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