YOU OWE ME MENTALITY: IS THERE A LESSON IN THIS?

We have all encountered people that we can very easily roll our eyes at, as they walk around this world with a you owe me mentality. What I mean by that is that they don’t want to do anything but they feel that everyone else should cater to them and provide them with what they need; after all they are the important one.

Now, I am NOT condoning this behavior, but please understand I am also NOT knocking assistance programs for those who truly need assistance. But out of our generosity as a nation we have a grown a generation that’s conditioned to believe: you owe me; and this mentality is a direct result of liberalism: giving people things they have not worked to earn. This “giving away the store” comes with a very HIGH COST of stripping away all of this person’s self dignity and self respect.

Now, I’m not wanting to say anything further on this topic of liberalism, except as to relate this to the church of Jesus and to hopefully gain a very quick insightful lesson on this topic. Just think about this phrase for a moment: You owe me.

What does that conjure up for you in your mind. A negative image? Rightly so. But, let’s flip this pancake over and see if there is any truth to the other side. Let’s say it this way: We owe you? Do we? Do we owe anyone anything? Romans 13:8 says: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. So, what is that saying? Is it saying that we do not owe anyone anything? No: it is rather saying that we should not owe anything EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

What is true Biblical love? It is to not withhold the good news of Jesus Christ and the triumphant life that each and everyone of us can live once we know Him. So,, as you see folks struggling, living sinful lives and doing things that make you want to flee away in shame; I just ask you to stop for a moment.

Think about this. Has God maybe put you across their path so that you could share the good news of Jesus Christ and His marvelous salvation with them? Do you owe them this? Before you are too quick to rebuke me; remember the parable in Matthew 18: 21-35 which reads:

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?²² Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.²⁴ And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.²⁵ But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.²⁶ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.²⁷ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.²⁸ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.³¹ So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. ³² Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: ³³ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?³⁴ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.³⁵ So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Please pay attention to verses 32-35 and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you on these verses. Please remember that we are called to be witnesses because it is truly God’s power via the Holy Spirit that has changed and transformed our lives. We owed a great debt. We were on our way to hell, BUT GOD. Not but me, but it is because of God! God loved us and desired us to be His children and He sent His Son Jesus who paid the price for our sins, since we ourselves could not pay this price. HE DID IT; not us!

Now: armed with this knowledge, should we not also go and do likewise? So, Matthew 28:19-20 says;

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

So, maybe we should,,,,,,,Go and Share. Tell them the Good news; don’t just roll your eyes at them and walk away, but interrupt your schedule and take the time to get on God’s schedule. Remember , we did nothing to deserve God’s love. He just gave it. Shouldn’t we try to be like our Father? After all: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

WE OWE THEM.