Entitlement -- But I want it

What an interesting word! One of the meanings of the word entitlement is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. If you watch any news program you see people protesting because they think they deserve to get something because they are in school or need help or just because they want it. A modern phenomenon or nothing new under the sun?

As I studied I Corinthians 10 I kept hearing the word entitlement. In the first part Paul reminds us of the Children of Israel who walked out of Egypt and across the Red Sea with all of their belongings plus more that the Egyptians gave them (probably to get them out of Egypt while Egyptians were still alive) Exodus 12:33. The Israelites hadn’t been gone but three days when they complained about no water. The Lord provided by turning a bitter pool into fresh water. They had to wander through the desert because of their foolishness but the Lord provided manna for them to eat every day even after they complained about no food. Later the Lord added quail for the Israelites to eat. They complained even after the Lord had miraculously done all of these things.

Then we move to Corinth many years later. In the second part of the chapter, Paul continues his discussion of what we can and can’t do he began in chapter 8. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10: 23 The Corinthian church was surrounded and had come out of a very pagan society. There was a question about eating the food offered in the pagan temples. The leftovers were sold at bargain prices and was very good quality. The question became why can’t I buy this meat, the pagan gods aren’t real and I don’t worship or believe in them? I deserve to buy the food and it won’t hurt me.

Now Paul gently leads them into the real answer as the chapter unfolds. Yes, you are fine to eat the food offerings and even eat with unbelievers but if someone questions if the meat has come from a pagan sacrifice then you are accountable for their conscience (v 27, 28). Verse 33 clearly states we should not cause anyone to stumble.

Now I’d like to share how the Lord led me gently to this conclusion. Many years ago, a dear friend came to me and said she was putting her husband’s suitcase at the front door to kick him out. He had a drinking problem and she couldn’t deal with it. She had asked for help from others but they said it was a hopeless spiral. We prayed and the Lord delivered him completely almost 40 years ago. Fast forward to me shopping at the grocery store for a bottle of wine to put in my chicken soup. I heard the Lord clearly stop me saying what if your brother saw you and thought if it’s ok for me then it’s ok for him. “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—“I Corinthians 10:33. It’s really not all about me.