What's enough?

We are living in a time where the buzz word is "entitlement".  The first thing that comes to mind when I hear this word is how older people view the younger generation.  I hear it over and over how kids today have a sense of entitlement.  They want to sit around and be given everything.  They think they are entitled to the position without paying the price.  We even see this word in our most recent election.  Republican candidate for 2012 Mitt Romney was quoted, "In an entitlement society, everyone receives the same or similar rewards, regardless of education, effort, and willingness to take risk. That which is earned by some is redistributed to the others. And the only people who truly enjoy any real rewards are those who do the redistributing—the government. The truth is that everyone may get the same rewards, but virtually everyone will be worse off."  Where does your mind go when you think of the word entitlement?

This past week I was thinking about different times in my life when I have given of myself either emotionally, physically or financially and it just wasn't enough, no matter how much of a sacrifice I made.  Typically at the other end of my giving sat someone with entitlement.  The definition of entitlement is to be given a right to receive or do something.  We all have sat on the throne of entitlement probably.  As I sat there feeling sorry for myself about all my sacrifices, God got my attention.  I am guilty of entitlement!  Christ gave me the greatest sacrifice of all times and here I sit with my hand out still wanting more from Him. I thought about how everyday I pray and cry out with my hands open wanting more and more.  I should be holding my hands out in praise for everything He has already done for me.  When do we just sit back and say it is OK Lord, You have done enough?  Let's start first with He left His home in Heaven for us. John 3:38 "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."  He gave up His life for us.  Romans 5:8  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  He continually sits by the Father interceding on our behalf. Romans 8:34 "Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."  He gives us total forgiveness.  1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  He offers us salvation. Romans 10:13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  He has prepared a place for us in eternity.  John 14:1-3 "“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  He gives us peace. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." He gives us the touch of the Holy Spirit.  John 14:15-17 " If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." The list continues.  What a needy people we are!  What a people of complete entitlement!  Could it be that our world has grown toward that dreaded character trait throughout the years?  I don't want to be that person.  I want to be thankful for what my precious Savior has already done.  I pray my hands will be stretched out to Him but not asking for more things but lifted up in praise.    The next time you begin to discuss our culture of entitlement stop and evaluate yourself.  Are you still seeking for more in this life?  Are you still seeking the things of this world that have no eternal value?  When we die the only thing we can take with us is our relationship with Jesus and all the investments we have made for His kingdom.   The only thing we leave behind that won't perish is the love we have shown, memories we have made, and legacies that point others to Christ.  1 Timothy 6:6-7 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."