Gratitude: A Gift In An Age Of Entitlement
Text: Luke 17:11-19 In the name of Jesus. Amen. There were ten diseased, broken, and socially outcast lepers. And all ten cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” And Jesus did. He spoke, and they were healed. But here is the catch: only one returned. Only one came back. One out of ten. Now let’s stop for a moment. Just one out of ten; that’s ten percent. That’s failing. Now, the question we must ask is not, "Why did they not return?" but rather, "Why do we not return? Why do we also fail to give thanks?" You see, we live in an age of profound ingratitude. But this is not because we were not taught good manners. No, instead, we live in a culture of entitlement. And entitlement is the enemy of gratitude. Indeed, we live in a time where people believe they are owed everything. Everything is a right. Everything is deserved: food, housing, love, affirmation, safety, happiness, health! It should all be ours by default. So, when we receive a gift, well… we aren’...
