But back in November the high school senior moved from her home after refusing to obey her parents' so-called "abusive" rules. The Morris Catholic High School cheerleader then brought a law suit against her mom and dad that would require them to fund her remaining year in private school and then tuition for college to follow. There was even a demand for $650 a week for expenses to live elsewhere. She claimed that her parents had kicked her out of the house and had the nerve to refuse to fund her coming college education.
The defense attorney for the parents stated, "To be clear, my clients never abandoned nor abused their child, and they have asked her to come home." The father claimed Rachel literally ran away from home because she did not want to follow house rules or even do simple chores. He said, "I know Rachel is a good kid, but an incredibly rebellious teen, and she's getting some terrible information."
Judge Peter Bogaard seemingly agreed and noted that Rachel Canning's behavior over the past year had been in question with one or two school suspensions, drinking, losing her captaincy on the cheer-leading squad and being kicked out of the campus ministry.
The judge, upon hearing all the facts involved in the case, recently ruled in favor of the parents and denied the daughter's numerous requests. He must also have realized the huge potential consequences had he ruled in reverse. That would have severely hand-cuffed many moms and dads. It would have given them little recourse with kids who decide to reject authority while demanding their negative lifestyles be sanctioned and financially supported while under their parent's roof .
This national news story has many implications. But the one term being tossed about throughout was "entitlement." It seems that many in the younger generation feel that it is their "birthright" to be handed anything and everything they desire. They do not feel responsible to contribute much of anything, obey proper authority or even conduct themselves in a fashion that is appropriate in the eyes of those who pay their bills.
What is the source of such bold and self-centered attitudes? It may partly come from living in an affluent culture where everything is achievable, attainable and expected – now! And perhaps this is simply the logical outcome of a society having ever-dwindling moral foundations and where spiritual principles have been placed on the back burner – if even on the stove at all?
But how utterly incredible to compare this growing "entitlement" mindset in the society to what was the extreme opposite seen in the Savior. His attitude and response to sin, despite being the Creator, was simply incredible. As God almighty, He is certainly worthy of being entitled to everything in the universe. After all, He literally made it all and controls it. And yet Christ took the approach of desiring nothing for Himself and sacrificing everything for others. This is graphically and best described in Philippians 2:5-8.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
These words confront us with the opposing attitude of the Lord who denied all that was rightfully due Him in order to give lost sinners all that was not due them! He was fully obedient to the Father. He came to fully serve those who had rebelled against Him, even to the extent of dying for them like a common criminal.
But the above passage reveals something more. It begins by stating, “Let this mind be in you...”. This mind was certainly not the mind of "entitlement". But this mind led to a cross and the forgiveness of sin – all sin!
If there is anything desperately needed in this floundering and mixed up culture, it is for people to attain "the mind of Christ." It is to possess and promote His attributes of love, humility, obedience and sacrifice. His was not a life of entitlement on any level. His was, in fact, one diametrically opposed to that. He was fully a servant, and by fully giving Himself for all, He entitled all who trust in Him to procure a new heart a new mind, salvation in this life and a heavenly home in the next.
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mathew 20:28)
Bill Breckenridge
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