"Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn't submit to God's Law, because it can't. People who are self-centered aren't able to please God" (Romans 8:5-8, CEB).
One of the worst insults you can assign someone is that he is selfish. Albert Schweitzer said that the only people that are happy are those who have learned to serve. Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who humbles himself the most (like a child). To be great in God's kingdom you must be willing to be the servant of all; for didn't Christ come "not to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45) Where would civilization be without selfless people who dedicated their lives to something that will outlast it, something greater than themselves--a legacy indeed! The secret of happiness is to think of Jesus first, others second and yourself last (J.O.Y.). If Christ hadn't arrived on the scene and taught selfless love for our fellow man, it is doubtless we would have orphanages, hospitals, universities, and charities as we know them. Christ changed the course of history, thinking outside the box, and turned the world upside down (even seeing women as equal to men). We could not have a civilization if everyone thought only of themselves and looked out only for good old "Number One." The old Darwinian idea of the "survival of the fittest" is non-Christian and we are not to live "each man for himself," and not be "altruistic" (a characteristic unknown to animals and sets us apart as human and in God's image).
They say that the capitalistic system works and it is based on greed; well this is an imperfect society and that is not ideal and is certainly not part of "God's economy." In heaven, we will not be primarily concerned with bottom lines, but effort and faithfulness and the blessing of God in what we do--not giving ourselves the glory. But of course, when people come up with ideas like the proposition that we need to learn to be "selfish" to get ahead and be a "success" they don't realize that this is nothing new: "There's nothing new under the sun." What amazes me is that most people don't recognize evil when confronted with it, but have itching ears that hear what they want to hear without any discernment.
Only the mature in Christ according to Hebrews 5:14 are able to discern good from evil. When we see evil we have the opportunity to take our stand and stand up for Jesus and truth and not let the devil have his wicked way in the world. Just thank God for all the sacrifices people have made before us to give us the culture and civilization we have and their selfless love and commitment to the welfare of others. In conclusion: Don't let evil be unchallenged and unanswered and remember to conquer evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21). Soli Deo Gloria!
One of the worst insults you can assign someone is that he is selfish. Albert Schweitzer said that the only people that are happy are those who have learned to serve. Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who humbles himself the most (like a child). To be great in God's kingdom you must be willing to be the servant of all; for didn't Christ come "not to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45) Where would civilization be without selfless people who dedicated their lives to something that will outlast it, something greater than themselves--a legacy indeed! The secret of happiness is to think of Jesus first, others second and yourself last (J.O.Y.). If Christ hadn't arrived on the scene and taught selfless love for our fellow man, it is doubtless we would have orphanages, hospitals, universities, and charities as we know them. Christ changed the course of history, thinking outside the box, and turned the world upside down (even seeing women as equal to men). We could not have a civilization if everyone thought only of themselves and looked out only for good old "Number One." The old Darwinian idea of the "survival of the fittest" is non-Christian and we are not to live "each man for himself," and not be "altruistic" (a characteristic unknown to animals and sets us apart as human and in God's image).
They say that the capitalistic system works and it is based on greed; well this is an imperfect society and that is not ideal and is certainly not part of "God's economy." In heaven, we will not be primarily concerned with bottom lines, but effort and faithfulness and the blessing of God in what we do--not giving ourselves the glory. But of course, when people come up with ideas like the proposition that we need to learn to be "selfish" to get ahead and be a "success" they don't realize that this is nothing new: "There's nothing new under the sun." What amazes me is that most people don't recognize evil when confronted with it, but have itching ears that hear what they want to hear without any discernment.
Only the mature in Christ according to Hebrews 5:14 are able to discern good from evil. When we see evil we have the opportunity to take our stand and stand up for Jesus and truth and not let the devil have his wicked way in the world. Just thank God for all the sacrifices people have made before us to give us the culture and civilization we have and their selfless love and commitment to the welfare of others. In conclusion: Don't let evil be unchallenged and unanswered and remember to conquer evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21). Soli Deo Gloria!