We live in a society where entitlement seems to be the norm. It’s an attitude of “I deserve this because I exist”, and it’s causing more harm than good.
The antidote? Christian virtues. These timeless principles offer a refreshing alternative to the entitlement culture, reminding us of the importance of grace, humility, and gratitude.
In this article, I’ll be exploring nine Christian virtues that directly combat modern-day entitlement. By weaving these virtues into our daily lives, we can start to shift our perspective from “I deserve” to “I serve”.
So, let’s dive in and discover how these Christian virtues can turn around this sense of entitlement and make us better human beings.
1) Humility
In a world filled with self-importance and entitlement, humility stands as a powerful antidote.
Humility, as a Christian virtue, is about recognizing that we are not the center of the universe. It’s stepping back and acknowledging that we are part of a bigger picture, reliant on God and others.
This isn’t about self-deprecation or thinking less of ourselves. Instead, it’s about putting ourselves in the correct perspective. It’s about understanding our place and worth without inflating it.
By embracing humility, we can counteract the entitlement mentality. It shifts our focus from “what I deserve” to “how can I serve”.
The beauty of humility is that it leads to gratitude, understanding, and respect for others. It’s a potent force against the entitlement culture.
But remember, humility isn’t about being weak or passive. It’s about acknowledging our limitations and appreciating the strengths of others. A humble spirit is a strong spirit.
2) Patience
Patience is another Christian virtue that has a profound impact on combatting entitlement.
Growing up, I remember expecting everything to go my way, instantly. If it didn’t, boy, you’d know about it. But as I grew older and started to delve deeper into my Christian faith, I realized the value of patience.
There was a time when I was waiting for a promotion at work. I felt entitled to it because I had been working hard and thought it was “my time”. When it didn’t come as fast as I expected, frustration set in.
That’s when I remembered the Bible verse in James 5:7-8 that speaks about patience, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming…You too, be patient and stand firm…”
It was a wake-up call for me. I decided to embrace patience and trust in God’s timing instead of demanding my own.
And you know what? When the promotion finally came, there was a sense of satisfaction that wouldn’t have been there if it had come instantly.
Practicing patience helps us to resist the urge for immediate gratification and entitlement. It teaches us to wait, to hope, and to trust in God’s perfect timing.
3) Charity
Charity, in the Christian sense, is about more than just giving money or items to those in need. It’s about expressing love for our fellow human beings and understanding that we all share in the human experience.
In 2017, Americans donated $410 billion to charities, making them some of the most generous people on the planet. Yet, this isn’t just about the financial donations. It’s about the time, effort, and love that goes into every act of charity.
When we practice charity, we see others not as people who owe us something, but as individuals deserving of love and kindness. We step out of our bubble of entitlement and start giving without expecting anything in return.
Charity helps us to see beyond ourselves and our own needs. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the responsibilities we have towards each other. This virtue is a powerful tool in combatting entitlement and promoting a culture of generosity and love.
4) Gratitude
Gratitude is a game-changer when it comes to combating entitlement. It’s about acknowledging and appreciating the good in our lives.
When we are grateful, we focus on what we have rather than what we believe we’re owed. It’s a perspective shift that takes us away from entitlement and brings us closer to contentment.
Gratitude has been linked to increased happiness, better relationships, and improved mental health. It’s more than just saying “thank you”; it’s a mindset that acknowledges the blessings in our lives.
Practicing gratitude daily can significantly impact our outlook on life. It shifts our focus from what we feel we deserve to appreciate what we already have.
By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we can counteract feelings of entitlement and foster an environment of contentment and appreciation.
5) Forgiveness
From a Christian perspective, forgiveness is a powerful virtue that can help combat entitlement. It’s about letting go of resentment and granting pardon to those who have wronged us.
In an entitlement culture, it’s easy to hold onto grudges, believing that we are owed an apology or some form of compensation. However, this mindset only serves to fuel bitterness and discontent.
Forgiveness, on the other hand, frees us from the chains of resentment. It allows us to let go of the idea that we are owed something and instead focuses on healing and moving forward.
By practicing forgiveness, we can reduce feelings of entitlement and promote an environment of understanding, compassion, and reconciliation. This virtue not only benefits our relationships with others but also contributes to our personal peace and emotional wellbeing.
6) Love
Love is at the heart of Christian virtues and is a powerful antidote to entitlement.
The essence of love is selflessness. It’s about putting others before ourselves and seeking their good. This is in stark contrast to the “me first” mentality that entitlement often breeds.
When we truly love someone, we don’t keep a tally of what we’re owed. We give freely, without expecting anything in return. This kind of selfless love can transform relationships and communities.
There’s a beautiful verse in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which describes this kind of love perfectly, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud…it keeps no record of wrongs.”
In a world where entitlement often reigns, choosing to love selflessly offers a breath of fresh air. It pushes back against the notion that we’re always owed something and instead promotes a culture of genuine care and compassion.
7) Faith
Faith is a virtue that’s deeply personal and transformative. It’s about trusting in something bigger than ourselves, which can be a powerful remedy for entitlement.
There was a time in my life when things weren’t going as planned. I felt like the world owed me more. Discontentment started to creep in, and with it, a sense of entitlement.
That’s when I started to lean into my faith. I began to trust that there was a bigger plan at play, one that I might not fully understand. It didn’t make the challenges disappear, but it helped me approach them with a different mindset.
I stopped focusing on what I thought I deserved and started trusting in the journey. This shift was liberating. I felt lighter, more at peace.
Faith can help us let go of our sense of entitlement by reminding us that we’re part of a larger picture. It reassures us that even when things don’t go our way, there’s a purpose behind it all. Embracing this virtue can lead us towards contentment and away from entitlement.
8) Self-control
Self-control is a virtue that directly challenges the entitlement mindset. It’s about taking responsibility for our actions, instead of blaming others or feeling like the world owes us.
In a culture of entitlement, it’s easy to point fingers and demand what we think we deserve. However, self-control encourages us to step back and examine our actions and desires. It prompts us to question if what we want is truly beneficial or just a product of feeling entitled.
Practicing self-control helps us manage our impulses and desires. It trains us to make decisions not based on entitlement but on wisdom and understanding.
By exercising self-control, we can resist the urge to demand what we think we’re owed and instead focus on making wise choices that benefit not just ourselves, but also those around us.
9) Contentment
Contentment is the ultimate virtue that combats entitlement. It’s about finding satisfaction in what we have, rather than constantly craving more.
In a world that constantly tells us we need more to be happy, contentment is a radical act. It rejects the idea that we’re always owed something better and instead embraces the blessings we already have.
Contentment doesn’t mean settling for less. It means appreciating what we have, while still striving for growth and improvement. It’s about finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.
By choosing contentment, we challenge the culture of entitlement. We create a narrative that values gratitude over greed, satisfaction over dissatisfaction, and peace over constant striving.
The heart of the matter
The essence of combating modern-day entitlement lies in the cultivation of these Christian virtues.
Humility, patience, charity, gratitude, forgiveness, love, faith, self-control, and contentment – each of these virtues offers a unique perspective shift away from entitlement and towards a more fulfilling way of living.
In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible mentions these virtues as fruits of the spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
By embracing these virtues, we’re not just countering entitlement. We’re cultivating a life that brings joy and fulfillment to ourselves and those around us.
It’s not an easy journey. It might be challenging to let go of a mindset that we’ve held onto for so long. But as we navigate this path, let’s remember that the true value lies not in what we feel we’re owed but in the virtues we cultivate along the way.
As we reflect on these virtues and how they combat entitlement, let’s ask ourselves: What virtue can I practice today to create a positive shift in my life?
