What are you entitled to?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” Luke 12:6 NIV

I am a football fan. I loved playing the game and I love the strategy of it. I was watching College Gameday this past week and heard an interview with Nick Sabin, who coaches the University of Alabama. In some circles he is regarded as the best college coach in history, and it is hard to argue it. At that level championships are the best measure and they have won six or seven. I am a University of Kansas fan. We probably have not won seven GAMES in that same time span.

In the interview he was asked about challenges. He explained that one of his most consistent challenges is convincing players that they are not entitled to anything. He said that a player can work hard enough and can play hard enough to deserve to win, but that they are not entitled to anything. Sometimes another player outworks you. Sometimes another team outplays you. Sometimes they do neither but still can end up winning. You are entitled to nothing.

I have been thinking about that statement – not entitled to anything. I work pretty hard. Some people work harder. Conversely, some people do not work as hard as I do and have more freedom than I do. I have friends who started investing in high school. If I compare myself to them, I have not done very well in that area.

From a worldly perspective retirement is the ultimate plan. We spend a lot of time planning and looking forward to a period of time that I am wondering if we are actually entitled to. My dad threw freight and drove a semi around Kansas City for 30 years. His company was a union shop. I remember Teamster meetings and picket lines and talk of the danger of crossing that line. Jimmy Hoffa was the union President. It was serious stuff.

They negotiated a contract every few years and bargained for things like higher wages or better benefits. Unfortunately, the last contract was just that, the last contract. The company literally called the bluff of everyone and shut down. They had literally bargained themselves out of a job. It’s a long story but I remember the pension he had planned on earning was cut in half, for the rest of his life.

I do not think of retirement in the same way as he did. Then, it was ultimately when he thought he would stop working and relax or something. I am the same age as he was when he lost his spot. I cannot imagine throwing freight like he did and I cannot imagine not working at something. More so, I cannot imagine at nearly 60 years old having my plan cut in half. I wonder about the amount of faith he and my mom had to have. That never registered to me until my faith was challenged. I am probably more proud of them for the faith than I am for the actual work.

I think from a faith perspective planning can be good. We are supposed to be good stewards of what we have been given. However, relying on your own plan can lead to a path that by its very nature does not center around faith. Did Jesus ever talk to His disciples about a Roth IRA?

Everyone has a walk that God designed for them. I really believe that. I may struggle in some areas that do not test you and vice versa. But in my own life nearly every time I think my “plan” is working God moves the target.

What worry occupies your thought life the most?

Worry is common, but what do you do with the worry?

Challenge: Be a good steward, but keep a loose grip on your plans. God may have a different idea about what you are entitled to.

Rick Claiborn