SELFISHNESS

Once there was a rich man who had it in his heart to do good.  Then walking over the broad expanse of his platation, he walked down into a hollow where in a humble hut lived his carpenter.

      Having passed the time of day for a few minutes, he began to the carpenter exactly what it was that he wanted done.

      He wanted a house built on top of a nearby hill. It was a hill that caught the warmth of the sun and was sheltered from the cold winds by a heavy mantle of trees. "Build it strong, and of only the best materials, and employ only the best workman, for I want it to be a masterpiece," said the rich man. "And I leave it  in your hands for I shall be away for some time."

      As soon  as the rich man had left the carpenter rubbed his hands in glee. Now is the time for me to make some extra money,

      I'll  have a shoddy job done for a good job's cost and pocket the difference.  

     And so he did. When the rich man :returned he walked with the carpenter to the top of the hill. The house to all outward appearances was a magnificent  job. "I am glad to see you have over-seered such an excellent job," said the rich man," it is a beautiful house ••• and it is yours. Because of all your years of service I give it to you.

       We are sometimes our own worst enemies.  Selfish and self centered we are tempted to treat morality as if it were something to be manipulated.

       Homes are certainly wrecked by it, filled with opera singers singing "Me, me, me."

       Do you have to at least in some things have to enter a guilty plea?

       When it comes to television programming do you assume permanent control of the remote control?

        You have a genuinely difficult time letting someone else have the remote control.

       Is your favorite picture in the house the bathroom mirror?    

       Have you ever picked up the last piece of chicken on the table, taken a bite out of it and then asked, "Does anyone else want this?"

       When you have finished a conversation with someone do you realize that most of the conversation has been about you?

       Selfish and self centered.  There probably is not anyone more self centered than an atheist.  After all he has substituted himself as sovereign and keeper of truth as against almighty God. 

       Set before your the eyes of your soul the following scripture, "“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:36-37

       Place these words on your refrigerator door.

       Put them on the mantle of your mind.

       Believe because it is true that selfishness is a stagnant...a living stagnant...that can and does turn many into thoughtless slugs