ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY

 

My employer provides a small refridgerator in the laundry room for employees to store lunch items.  One day I noticed a note on the door of the refridgerator.  It read "IT'S NOT NICE TO EAT OR DRINK OTHER PEOPLES' STUFF".  Some one else wrote a response under the original note.  It read, "IT IS, IF THEY DON'T HAVE FOOD".

 

I thought about the notes for some time and found them to be profound and relevant to what is going on in our society today. The original note is based on the premise that we aren't to take what does not belong to us.  The response is based on the premise that perceived need trumps property rights. The person who wrote the response has an "entitlement mentality".  That is, if you have what I believe I need, then I'm entitled to take what you have as mine.

 

We,as a nation, find the entitlement mentality growing in popularity.  It forms the basis for the income distribution movement and imigration reform proposals.  The administration openly promotes the ACA as prominent tool for income distribution.  Other tools are on the table.  I heard today that a study of families receiving the possible entitlements in one state have an annual income higher than the average teacher makes in that state.  What is the source of revenue to pay such entitlements?  It is the teachers' taxes as well as all the other tax payers.  It is no wonder the entitlement mentality is so popular.  It is a sweet game...for as long as the money keeps flowing.  But, we all know the end game.  The well runs dry.  That's why we are almost 18 trillion dollars in debt.  The game only works as long as there are more "makers" than "takers".  When the "takers" overwhelm the "makers", the game is up and we begin to look like Haiti North.

 

You may wonder what this has to do with a Freedom of Faith blog.  I've found that some people of faith defend the entitlement mentality by quoting the Bible...especially Acts and other verses about the "poor".  Let me explain why that is bogus.  The Bible speaks very highly of those who treat the poor with kindness and generosity VOLUNTARILY.  It is called "charity" and it is to be commended.  It has nothing to do with forcibly taking someone's possessions for the government to give to whomever it pleases.  That is theft and is condemned in Scriptures.  Charity is what the Bible commends and it is to be given out of love and compassion, not threats.  Remember, real effective charity is to give the needy a way to meet their needs continually on their own.