We live in a consumer mentality society. “What’s in it for me?” “What will I get out of it?” Add to that an entitlement attitude and you have a formula for pulling at the fibers that historically have made us the great nation we have been. Our forefathers were not looking for what was in it for them, but instead they were looking for a way to provide a better lifestyle and freedom from tyranny for their children and grandchildren.
In his inaugural speech, John F. Kennedy spoke these familiar words, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” In the 55 years since these words were spoken, our society has drifted so far from this challenge to the point that the prevailing wind is, “What can my country do for me?”
I really wish I could say that the church is a safe bastion from these thoughts, but it is not. Nearly every pastor I know has to deal with people who are looking for something better than what their church offers. More, better, bigger, “What’s in this for me?” “What will I get out of it?” “What can your church do for me?” Rather than, “What can I do for my church?”
Society’s “get” not “give” mentality is destroying the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation. Demanding more and giving less has cracked the foundation of the American Church to the point of losing its power and influence of being a light in the darkness.
Is it possible for us to rekindle the revolutionary fires of our forefathers? Not to fight the tyranny of a king, but to fight the tyranny of entitlement in our churches? Remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35b.
Stop being a spectator. It is time to be an active participant in being an agent of change. To use the term old-timers use, “It’s time for revival!”
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