Entitlement is a state or belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. This sentiment is not isolated to the modern age but has been a part of humanity’s story for centuries, if not millennia. The Bible offers insightful teachings about entitlement, providing a counter-narrative emphasizing humility, service, and gratitude.
Who Addresses Entitlement in the Bible?
In the Bible, numerous prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ Himself address entitlement. They speak against arrogance, pride, and a self-centered mentality, teaching believers to navigate life with a sense of humility and thankfulness. In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah and Daniel caution against the dangerous allure of pride and entitlement. They urge their listeners to acknowledge their dependence on God and value humility over self-importance. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ and His apostles, like Paul and Peter, provide teachings that challenge the sense of entitlement. They encourage a lifestyle rooted in love, service, generosity, and mutual respect.
What Does the Bible Teach about Entitlement?
The Bible offers a consistent message against feelings of entitlement. Instead, it encourages an attitude of humility and gratitude. It teaches that boasting and pride do not conform to the will of God. Instead of harboring a sense of entitlement, the Bible advises believers to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who walked in humility, serving others rather than seeking to be served. The Bible also highlights the fact that everything we have comes from God. Thereby, it discourages believers from becoming complacent or feeling that they have an inherent right to blessings and privileges. Moreover, the Bible reminds believers of their responsibility to love and serve others. It teaches that the true mark of a Christian is not a sense of privilege but a heart that loves unconditionally and serves joyfully.
Where Does the Bible Discuss Entitlement?
The Bible addresses entitlement directly and indirectly throughout both Old and New Testaments. Stories and parables that reprimand arrogance or pride while recommending humility and servitude are littered throughout its pages. For instance, in the Old Testament, the narrative of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and subsequent humbling provides a strong message against a sense of entitlement. Stories in the New Testament, particularly the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, often highlight the virtue of humility. An excellent example is Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, demonstrating that leadership is not about feeling entitled but about serving others.
Why Does the Bible Oppose Entitlement?
The Bible opposes entitlement for many reasons. It sees entitlement as a manifestation of pride, which is often considered one of the gravest sins. Entitlement can lead to selfishness, greed, and a lack of compassion—traits that stand contrary to the Christian calling of love and kindness. The Bible promotes humility, a trait that directly opposes entitlement. It views humility as acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient but reliant on God. It equates humility with wisdom and understanding. Additionally, the Bible recognizes that entitlement can jeopardize our relationships—with God and with each other. It creates barriers and breeds discontent, discord, and resentment. As such, the Biblical teachings staunchly advocate against it.
When Does the Bible Advocate Humility Over Entitlement?
Consistently, throughout its various books, passages, and teachings, the Bible advocates humility over entitlement. From the first book, Genesis, where Adam and Eve’s sin of wanting to be like God displays the pitfalls of over-entitlement, to the last book, Revelation, where the humble are rewarded, the Bible’s message is clear. In the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, this advocacy for humility is at its peak. Jesus Christ Himself, although being God, chose a life of service and humility. He washed His disciples’ feet, healed the sick, and ultimately, gave His life on the cross. This grand display of humility serves as the ultimate counter-point to entitlement and is a call to all Christians to emulate.
Below is the full list of bible verses on entitlement (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Entitlement
James 4:1-12
“1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Related Themes: Lust Complaining Arguing
2 Thessalonians 3:10
“10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
Related Themes: Idleness Laziness Idleness Work Homelessness
James 4:6
“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Grace Self-Esteem Humility
2 Thessalonians 3:12
“12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
Related Themes: Idleness
Romans 12:19
“19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Respecting Your Parents Children Laziness
Luke 4:18
“18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
Related Themes: Homelessness Healing Justice Freedom
1 John 4:16
“16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
Luke 14:7-11
“7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Related Themes: Popularity
Matthew 10:16
“16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Related Themes: Discernment Manipulation Courage Safety Serving Others
Colossians 3:23
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Psalm 119:105
“105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Genesis 1:27
“27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Related Themes: Creativity Earth Identity Equality Self-Esteem
James 5:11
“11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Patience Healing Endurance Affliction
Luke 14:11
“11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
James 4:17
“17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Related Themes: Sin Adultery Gossip Procrastination Laziness
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Proverbs 13:11
“11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
John 3:16-17
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Luke 21:14-15
“14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
Colossians 1:15
“15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
Related Themes: Earth Creativity Pleasing God Creation
Philippians 4:19
“19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Homelessness Healing Life
Ephesians 4:28
“28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
