For the last few years, I have been diligently working on saving money and buying ahead with the use of coupons and sales. It has been a blessing and a discipline in my life. Not only have we saved a great deal of money, but we have been able to bless others.
In the last year, as I have read comments posted on some of the websites/blogs I regularly visit to find good deals, I have seen an increase in people complaining that they aren't getting just about everything for free. As a result of people abusing the system, the stores have also started tightening the restrictions and regulations associated with coupons and other sales. Ultimately, someone has to pay. Either the consumer pays or the company pays. When both sides play fair and act respectfully, both sides can come out with a pretty good win-win situation. When one side (the consumer in this case) starts demanding all of their 'rights' and taking on an attitude of entitlement, both sides quickly lose. Additionally, those with the attitude of entitlement cause harm to everyone else in the long run.
There are many arguments to be made about companies, greed, abuse of systems, etc. This is not the forum for such discussions, but rather a place to stop and reflect on our own attitudes. I confess that there have been times in my life when I had the entitlement attitude and I am embarrassed to think of how I acted. Truth is - I'm not entitled to anything, but I am called to be thankful for everything.
In every area of our lives, there is a price to pay when we start believing that we are to get everything for nothing. Such an attitude is like gangrene in any community, church, relationship or business. It spreads and it is ugly and eventually it kills what once was healthy and growing.
Perhaps we would be wise to consider the words of Paul in the New Testament: 1 Timothy 6:6-8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
May we keep our priorities in order and our eyes on Jesus. May our hearts and attitudes be a reflection of who Jesus called us to be in all situations. He paid the price for our sins and we certainly weren't entitled to that!
"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
