Key Verse: “I gave you a land you did not labor for, and cities you did not build, though you live in them; you are eating from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant.” (Joshua 24:13 CSB)
As part of Joshua’s farewell speech to the people of Israel, he reminded them of the journey that God had led them on – where they had been compared to where they were now. Their forefathers had cried out to the Lord while in slavery in Egypt, and God delivered them through His mighty works. He then led them on a journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land, a place which they had now taken possession of and were enjoying its fruits.
The word from the Lord delivered to the people by Joshua was this: “I gave you a land you did not labor for, and cities you did not build, though you live in them; you are eating from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant” (v.13). Interestingly, this is almost exactly the same as what Moses told the people years earlier as they looked forward to the time when they would enjoy the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).
What was God saying to the people? He was reminding them that the place where they now found themselves – the land, the cities, the vineyards and olives groves – was not a result of their own doing. They hadn’t successfully defeated the occupying armies in their own strength. They weren’t enjoying the bounty of this new land because of what they had done. God had done it all. So the people then were not to take for granted all of the blessings they were now enjoying or deceive themselves into thinking that they were entitled to them. It was all a gift from God.
It’s a good word, isn’t it? The reality is that we are all far too easily prone to fall into the sinful trap of entitlement in our hearts. What does it look like? It’s someone who is constantly negative and complaining, who is unable to recognize the good around them. It’s a person who thinks that they deserve more than what they already have. It’s someone who is full of pride and is constantly competing with others. It’s those who are self-consumed, more concerned about what they can get instead of what they can give.
Does that sound like anyone you know? More importantly, are you guilty of having an entitled heart?
A spirit of entitlement can be very dangerous for anyone seeking to follow Jesus and seek first His kingdom. The remedy to entitlement is found in remembering and meditating on all of God’s grace toward us. The Apostle Paul asked, “What do you have that you didn’t receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Hint: nothing! All that we have is a result of the gracious hand of God in our lives, for “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). When we recognize this, we can start to move from a heart of entitlement and complaining to one of humble gratitude.
Stop and consider all of the blessings in your life today. What are the evidences of God’s grace toward you right now? Invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes in a greater way to how God has blessed you spiritually, relationally, and physically. As He reveals this to you, choose to respond with humble gratitude for His amazing grace.
Father God, there is nothing in my life that I have that I did not receive. It is all part of your gracious goodness toward me. Thank you for all that you have done. Open my eyes in greater ways to all of your amazing grace toward me in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
