When Entitlement Blinds

“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

I need to warn you today about a subtle danger: the day you begin to think that everything you have was earned by your strength alone. It's true that you worked, that you pushed yourself, that you studied late into the night — and I recognize that. But behind every ability you have lies an origin that didn't come from you.

This kind of pride disguised as entitlement is a quiet ingratitude. It slowly pulls you away from me, because if everything depends only on your own strength, why would you still need to pray, to give thanks, to depend on anyone? That is exactly the forgetfulness I warned the people of Israel to avoid when they entered the abundant land.

Today, acknowledge: the health that lets you work came from me. The mind that solves problems came from me. The opportunities that appeared on your path passed through my hand, even if through ordinary people. Remember me before pride makes you forget.