By Joe Slater
Webster’s Dictionary defines “selfish” this way: “Concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.”
I doubt that many who read this article would want to jump up and tell the world how selfish we are. Yet selfishness has lost much of its social stigma. You might be surprised how many would unabashedly say, “I’m looking out for number one; if somebody else gets hurt in the process, too bad!”
Galatians 6:7 says we reap what we sow. Our society has become more selfish because we have sown the seeds of selfishness. Do you remember when “me” books were all the rage? They were simple story books to give to children, but each one was customized to make the recipient the main character. This is but one example of making self the most important consideration in life.
Many older brethren (including myself) feel alarmed at the lack of concern for sound doctrinecharacterizing some of the “Millennial” generation. But to their credit, many Millennials understand better than older generations the importance of putting Christianity into action by helping the less fortunate in substantial ways. They see that many congregations have become inwardly-focused, with most resources (monetary and otherwise) directed toward serving “us.” Something tells me we’ll have better results convincing them about doctrine if we show them we’re serious about putting our faith to work serving “the least of these”!
More next week!
Webster’s Dictionary defines “selfish” this way: “Concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.”
I doubt that many who read this article would want to jump up and tell the world how selfish we are. Yet selfishness has lost much of its social stigma. You might be surprised how many would unabashedly say, “I’m looking out for number one; if somebody else gets hurt in the process, too bad!”
Galatians 6:7 says we reap what we sow. Our society has become more selfish because we have sown the seeds of selfishness. Do you remember when “me” books were all the rage? They were simple story books to give to children, but each one was customized to make the recipient the main character. This is but one example of making self the most important consideration in life.
Many older brethren (including myself) feel alarmed at the lack of concern for sound doctrinecharacterizing some of the “Millennial” generation. But to their credit, many Millennials understand better than older generations the importance of putting Christianity into action by helping the less fortunate in substantial ways. They see that many congregations have become inwardly-focused, with most resources (monetary and otherwise) directed toward serving “us.” Something tells me we’ll have better results convincing them about doctrine if we show them we’re serious about putting our faith to work serving “the least of these”!
More next week!
- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in
Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com
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