Does Privilege Lead to Spoilage?

When we observe a tantrum-gripped child, depending on their age, we might conclude that he/she is ‘spoiled’.  A parent might plead with a grandparent to avoid ‘overly indulging my child, lest you spoil him!’ What does it mean to be ‘spoiled’?  When food spoils, it means that some bacteria or other chemical change has occurred to or within the food item to make it unfit for consumption.  When we start describing a movie to a friend who has not yet seen it, we are in danger of ‘spoiling’ his viewing of it, by taking away his joy of surprise. In all cases we would likely agree that ‘spoiled’ is not a good thing.

If an adult engages in self-focused, self-absorbed living, promoting themselves at the expense of others, we might refer to them as being narcissistic in their behavior or call them a ‘narcissist’ or simply a very self-focused person.  A ‘spoiled’ child, one who has been over indulged, protected from responsibilities, and the normal pains, difficulties, and disappointments of life, might upon reaching adulthood morph into a self-absorbed being.

We might refer to a ‘privileged’ childhood as one for which no essential needs for food, shelter, safety, medical, or other primary needs was lacking.  “Wealth” is not required to experience privilege. Being overly protected will do the trick. Obviously, the breadth and depth of ‘privilege’ can vary greatly, but the greater that depth and breath is, the greater the child will be at risk of ‘spoilage’-an inward focused and self-absorbed person.  Such a child may,  upon reaching adulthood, even unconsciously, always expect life to go their way. Resisting this seemingly natural drift toward self-absorption needs continual parental corrective training in re-directing the child to add to their natural self-care, the care and welfare of others.  The apostle Paul said of his mentee, Timothy:

                                “I have no one else of kindred spirit, who will genuinely be concerned

                                For your welfare, for they all seek after their own interests, not those of

                                Christ Jesus” [Phil 2:20]

It is clear from this verse that the focus of Christ Jesus Is the welfare of people.

Children raised in a relatively privileged environment may grow to adulthood ignorant of the fact that some degree of spoilage has occurred within them.  This condition may be evidenced in multiple ways, some more obvious than others to outside observers.  Short-fused anger, frustration at unfulfilled goals, or expectations, lack of gratefulness, and thankfulness, slothfulness, unwillingness to share [especially in children], lack of generosity, and many more similar traits are rather strong indicators of the presence of ‘spoilage’. 

What might be the prescription to correct ‘spoilage’ in an adult? You can throw out spoiled food, but how can you ‘throw out’ a spoiled adult?

REMOVING THE STAINS OF PRIVILEGE

What if, as an adult you are relatively ‘successful’ on your own, paying your own way, but some evidence of ‘spoilage’ is still present, albeit to a lesser degree than other ‘less responsible people’? Removing mold stains, after cleaning a refrigerator, or something found in a cool damp basement can be a difficult task, often taking a lot of elbow grease and perhaps some harsh cleaning solutions. The ‘stains’ are what are left after the undesirable matter has been primarily removed.  Rooting out and removing the various ‘stains’ of spoilage in our character likewise requires our: [1] awareness and knowledge of the existence of the ‘stains’ and [2] a determination that, with the empowering effort and reliance on God’s Spirit, we will make unrelenting efforts to ‘scrub’ and seek to eradicate the stains of spoilage in our character.  Continually exposing our eyes and ears to the poverty, deprivation, loss, and suffering of others can help increase our own awareness of our somewhat privileged status.  When the ‘good Samaritan’ saw the wounded man, he was ‘moved with compassion’ [Luke 10:33] and took the initiative to stop and minister to him. I would not say he was a self-focused man, to have immediately stopped and rendered aid to the bandit-beaten stranger. Jesus told that story as a sample of what it means to love one’s neighbor.

As for myself, I have concluded that there are some ‘stains of spoilage’ within my character that need removal. One of those is my sometimes annoyance at the ‘neediness’ of others, which ‘requires’ my attention and assistance, whether asked for by them or not.  Regrettably, I likely would not have responded as did the good Samaritan. I may have joined the others in ‘passing by on the other side’.

Would others say of you that your life evidences some stains of spoilage?

CJS

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord but do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46