Photo ©2023 by Chelsea Jurgensen
Commentary ©2023 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday and Friday, August 31 and September 1, 2023

It would be interesting to know what prompted someone to post this sign on a common-area dishwasher that says, “Dishwasher is a PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT.” I have to admire the determination of the writer to inform future users that they had better be careful or else they could lose the privilege of having a dishwasher.

With freedom comes responsibility. I’m sure you can think of many examples of people misusing their freedom to get into trouble or cause problems for others. I was interested in what the Bible says about freedom and found a few verses.

I like how this one indicates we have freedom when we follow God’s law.

I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
Psalm 119:44,45

Here is a caution.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
1 Corinthians 10:23

Here is a nice thing about freedom.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12

Let’s look for ways to use our privilege of freedom carefully and to its best advantage.