Al Robertson

It looks like not entitlement.

Entitlement is I deserve me, me, me, me, me.

But when you look at the contrast in the first chapter of James, it's like, man, you actually end up in your deathbed by following your own evil desires.

And then verse 16, he said, but don't be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Every good gift,

Remember the discernment of Romans 12, to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect?

Every good gift, every perfect gift, where does it come from?

It doesn't come from your own evil desires.

It actually comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow or due to change.

And so what that does when you want to reorient your desires and properly index them, it's to see...

the things that God has created as gift.

And it's like, oh, wow, I'm actually grateful for the gift.

I'm not entitled to the gift.

It's a gift.

I'm grateful for it.

And so I'm going to participate in whatever that is in a communal way, not in a self-centered way.

And I think this is the key to spiritual formation.

On that last podcast, we had Matt Chandler.

That's the key to spiritual formation is a heart of gratitude by recognizing where good and perfect gifts actually come from.

Better beer.