Which seat at the table will you take?

Did you ever give a gift to someone who had an amazing reaction? Maybe they were surprised or just excited about the gift you gave them. Didn't you feel like you were on top of the world? Man, it feels good to bless others especially when it's obvious that you've truly made the recipient happy!
Now think back and remember a time you gave a gift and you weren't sure that the recipient was pleased with the gift you gave them. There wasn't much of a reaction at all or possibly it was clear that they weren't satisfied with the gift. Did you still feel good about giving or did you think to yourself, 'well, that's the last time I give this person a gift!'?
I have to admit, I've had this thought before. So what was my true reason for giving? ...was it to bless the other person or was it to feel good about myself?
This feeling of entitlement sneaks in way too often especially around the holidays. I've heard these lies a thousand times...
Why didn't I get invited to that holiday party?
How dare she ask me to do this? Doesn't she know I have enough going on?
I can't believe he didn't even thank me for that gift. I spent hours looking for that _______ and it wasn't cheap!
I'm not going to serve here because I'm not appreciated in this area. More people would be touched if I helped out ___________.

Aren't these all examples of entitlement? When we put ourselves in a more important position than others, we are not living as Christ asked us to live.

"Let nothing be done through selfish amibition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4