Forgive me for being the one to tell you, but you are infected. You're a victim—a diseased carrier. You have a case of—brace yourself—selfishness!
Don't believe me? Do your fingers ever wrap and close around possessions? Do fangs ever flare when you're interrupted or irritated? Any inflammation from patting yourself on the back?
Listen to the words of James: "Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things" (James 3:16 CEV). Is it any wonder Paul writes, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves…" (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB).
Looking after your personal interests is proper life management. Doing so to the exclusion of the rest of the world is selfishness.
Desire success? Fine. Just don't hurt others in achieving it.
Love isn't selfish.
From A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado
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