1 Timothy 5:8 HCSB
But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
This verse was referring to widows, but Darlene uses it to show us that God expects unselfish love.
In today's world there is an attitude of acceptance. As long as it doesn't affect me, everything is okay. Our human nature is a selfish beast. And the world's message of making me #1 just feeds right into our selfish desires. But God wants so much more for us. To find true joy, we must give up self and serve others.
In the book, it says "when our primary concern is our 'self' to the point that we become our first priority, we have given in to a selfish nature that isn't lined up with scripture." Look at the scripture below.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV
"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. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
When I was searching for quotes on selfishness, it was disheartening to see so many quotes defending and promoting selfishness. Finally I came across this one from J.R. Miller, a Christian author from the 1800s. I think it goes quite well with this book.
“Love is always ready to deny itself, to give, sacrifice, just in the measure of its sincerity and intensity. Perfect love is perfect self-forgetfulness. Hence where there is love in a home, unselfishness is the law. Each forgets self and lives for others. But where there is selfishness it mars joy. One selfish soul will destroy the sweetness of life in any home. It is like an ugly bush in the midst of a garden of flowers. It was selfishness that destroyed the first home and blighted all the loveliness of Paradise; and it has been blighting lovely things in earth's home ever since. We need to guard against this spirit.” ― J.R. Miller
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