Big thought: “Don’t Play Favorites—Live the Faith of Jesus”

Let’s talk real talk—entitlement.

It’s in all of us, right? We size people up. We judge by appearance, status, even how someone smells when they walk into church. And let’s be honest—we all want to be around people who make us feel important or comfortable. We like to get special treatment. When I don’t get what I think I deserve I get mad or insulted. Back in the day every church had reserved parking for the pastor. This was a perk of the job. I struggled with that. My thinking was that I’ve got to be here anyway so I should park longest away. The other thing was having the pastor’s name on the church sign. I didn't like that either. The truth is I really liked it but I have to kill the entitlement. Rick Warren wrote a best selling book entitled “The Purpose Driven Life”

His opening line was.. "It’s not about you"

Jesus came to remove entitlement and replace it with serventhood. Jesus had every right to be entitled but He chose humility. I should be striving to do the same.

Here is some of my twisted thinking..

I deserve more than I am currently getting.

Because of my education, social standing, wealth, race or whatever, I am better than most people.

I should cater to and try to impress the people who can best elevate me to my proper position.

I should never lower my standards to see those who have less or know less to be on equal level as me.

The world is a better place because I am in it.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, calls out this behavior in the early church—and his warning echoes loud today. This passage isn’t just about seating arrangements; it’s about spiritual maturity, relational integrity, and Kingdom culture. It’s about killing entitlement.