Responsibility in Privilege

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." 
Luke 12:48b


As I was walking downtown a few mornings ago, I noticed two homeless individuals submerged in a pile of blankets sleeping on the porch of an abandoned building. I instantly realized just how privileged I am. In fact, I have an abundance.

God has entrusted me with this abundance with the intention that I will use it for His purposes. Ever too often, this is not the case. I enjoy living comfortably. I rarely give until it hurts, whether it be time, money, or talents. I always want more, and when I receive more, I remain unsatisfied. I am constantly looking forward to 'the next big thing.' So why do I want more when I fail to correctly use what I have already been given? Because that is what American culture has taught me.

It is way too easy to fall into the trap of the American culture of entitlement. It was a shock to learn that making $34,000 a year (after taxes) puts an individual in the top 1% of the world by income. I may not be in the top 1% of the world and I may not have much compared to the high standards of the American dream, but compared to the rest of the world, I am rich. Odds are, if you have the means to read this blog post, so are you: The poorest 5% of Americans are more wealthy than two thirds of the world.

The constant want for more is taught at an early age. I remember making Christmas lists as a child. I would go through a toy store's catalog and circle every single toy that looked semi appealing. Stuffed animals were my favorite. I could have filled Noah's ark with all of the stuffed animals I owned, but that did not stop me from 'needing' another one every time I was in a store. Why did I need another toy when I didn't play with all of the ones I had? Because the toys I had were old news; I wanted something newer and better. However, no matter how old the toy, its purpose is the same; Toys are meant to be played with. Since I did not see the world from this point of view as a child, the old toys became a waste.

In The Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of three servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. The two men who were given more invested their money and doubled their original amounts. The third man, out of fear, buried the money he was given. The master was pleased with the men who invested the money, but scolded the servant who buried his money. This makes me wonder: When God gives you an ability or possession, do you bury it or do you put it to use? If you were in God's shoes, would you think that the resources He has given you have gone to waste? Are you using the abundance that He has given you in the way He has intended? With privilege comes responsibility. God has entrusted you with specific resources, talents, and time. You are responsible for using these provisions to further the Kingdom of God!

In order to fully use your privileges, you must first be aware of which blessings you have been given. Once you are aware of them, you can focus on using these blessings for the benefit of others. It may take some time and effort to realize what you have. I get so used to having certain abilities or possessions that I fail to think of them as special anymore. Full awareness might require some searching. Often while cleaning out drawers or closets, I find long lost treasures that I forgot I ever had.

It is certainly not a sin to take care of yourself. In fact, it is necessary to make sure that you stay healthy and able to do God's work. However, you should not be the main focus; They should be. 'They' may be family members, coworkers, Christians, non-believers, friends, and especially strangers. However you can use your privileges to show others the love of Christ, you should do so.

Start searching for those long lost treasures you have been given. Pray about how you can use them for His glory. Give cheerfully. Own up to your responsibilities. Don't let a single privilege go to waste. God has entrusted you.