Title Entitlement

Growing up, we were taught to employ titles when addressing people of position, adults, teachers, etc.  This, I think, was a throwback of sorts to times past when kids were actually taught and expected to respect their elders.  There's a fine line that the use of a title walks today because the title bearer is still just human.  I do agree that, in some instances, the lack of a title breeds a familiarity that shouldn't be allowed in a more formal setting and "dumbs down" the respect level of the title bearer.  However, these "title bearers" [sometimes] hold dear to their titles and I have witnessed, over the years, the downfall of many of them.  I'm embarrassed for those in the ranks of "ministry" of many organizations that demand to be addressed in a certain manner, presuming they're deserving of the respect the title entails.  Some of them are obnoxious, belligerent sowers of discord and gossipers, yet call them by their name and you're in "the wrong".  What a farce.  No wonder so many people discount these organizations as cults and their people as hypocrites.  Are we not all sinners saved by grace?  What about the humility spoken of so often in the Scriptures?  Does humility and "title entitlement" go hand in hand?  I think not.  In fact, "title entitlement" goes hand in hand with pride, which God hates.  (BTW, I also think the whole trend of familial title use in non-familial relationships is still "dumbing down" the respect level of these presumptuous believers.)  In the end, it's not your title that will save you anyway and, in fact, may be your undoing.  Be careful, because that person you just belittled via your title demands could be the person who would help you up after a fall. Just call me Chris.