[Congregants] Entitlement – (08.09.26 – Lk. 20:9-19)  

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Dear St. Paul family,

 

Sermon-Entitlement

Cornerstone-Sainthood - The Radical Yes

 

This week’s gospel is from Lk. 20:9-19, the parable of the vinedressers.

 

Do I feel entitled? Here are some questions to assess:

• Do I become angry when I'm inconvenienced?

• Do I expect appreciation for everything I do?

• Do I assume my preferences should come first?

• Am I quick to notice what I'm owed but slow to notice what I've been given?

• Do I complain more than I give thanks?

Do I say…

• I deserve more.

• God owes me.

• Others owe me.

• Why am I inconvenienced?

• I should get my way.

 

There are some unfortunate consequences of living as an entitled person:

1) Forget God’s Gifts

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17)

2) Produces Complaining

"Do all things without complaining and disputing.” (Philippians 2:14)

3) Destroys Relationships

‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ (Lk. 15:12)

4) Cannot Handle Suffering

“If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 4 … Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” (Num. 14:1,4)

 

Here is the remedy:

 

1) Thanksgiving

“be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13:5)

2) Serving

"Through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)

3) Sacrificing (Embrace Inconvenience)

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1)

4) Celebrating

"Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom. 12:15)

 

 

1)   Thanksgiving

o    “be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13:5)

 

2)   Serving

o   "Through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)

 

3)   Sacrificing

o   Embrace inconvenience

o   “Present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1)

 

4)   Celebrating

o   “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom. 12:15)

 

Entitlement is a common disease in our time and has major consequences, so focus on the remedy of thanksgiving, serving, sacrificing, and celebrating.

 

Fr. James

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