Don’t be selfish.
It’s such a simple command. Don’t be selfish. But not always easy to do.
If we’re thinking about ourselves all the time, what we want, selfishness comes quick and easy. It’s something we do without even thinking about it. We act selfishly.
But if we realize that life isn’t just about us, there is so much more, we can move away from thinking selfishly, to living and acting unselfishly.
We live in a universe of Love that blesses one and all. And, believe it or not, you are not the center of that universe. God is! Mary Baker Eddy writes, “God is at once the centre and circumference of being” (Science and Health, p. 203).
As we make God the center of our life, rather than a paltry human ego, we discover infinite Love, God’s Love, and it’s enough to go around for everyone. It’s enough to bless you and everyone around you.
God’s love is never used up or in danger of running out. You don’t have to hoard it. It expands by sharing it.
The more you give, the more you receive. Selfishness is not attractive any longer. Unselfishness is the route to happiness and success.
Acting selfishly is never in your best interest. Love is.
This is a powerful post. Thank you, Evan.
Amen.
When we come to understand more fully that God is the only Mind,
and that we do not have a mind of our own, but reflect spiritually
all that belongs to the Divine Mind, we can find ourselves free of the
limitations and selfishness which the world is trying to convince us to
believe in. That is, all that is material and limited, none of which has
any reality, as it is not of God, the All-in-all.
There is no personal sense because God is the only Ego, and man is
the reflection of the Ego God. It is the belief of a personal sense that we
need to be rid of to find the abundance of good that the Divine Mind is
pouring forth for us. This is unlimited, and although it belongs to God,
which is its source, He has given it to us to enjoy and share, because
there are no limits to infinite Mind.
Spiritual ideas can never run out, and we do not need to store them,
because our needs are met freshly whenever that need arises. And our
Father knows all our needs before we ask Him. and is ready to dole them
out when we turn to Him in prayer.
We do not need to fear any lack, but are able to give generously without
fear of being deprived of anything ourselves. As we accept this fact,
,we can continually thank and praise the Lord for His good gifts of Love.
which He freely gives to us all.
Thank you Evan, and thank you dear Maggie for so unselfishly sharing these inspiring thoughts.
Thank you for this post Maggie. It’s the perfect compliment to Evan’s post.
🙂
Here is a hymn to go with my contribution above: Last verse is about sharing.
Father, we Thy loving children / Lift our hearts in joy today, / Knowing well that Thou wilt keep us / Ever in Thy blessed way. / Thou art Love and Thou art wisdom, / Thou art Life and Thou art All; / In Thy Spirit living, moving, / We shall neither faint nor fall.
Come we daily then, dear Father, / Open hearts and willing hands, / Eager ears, expectant, joyful, / Ready for Thy right commands. / We would hear no other voices, / We would heed no other call; / Thou alone art good and gracious, / Thou our Mind and Thou our All.
In Thy house securely dwelling, / Where Thy children live to bless, / Seeing only Thy creation, / We can share Thy happiness, / Share Thy joy and spend it freely. / Loyal hearts can feel no fear; / We Thy children know Thee, Father, / Love and Life forever near.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 58:1–3)
Thank you for your lovely, inspiring thoughts, Maggie! Hymn 58 was sung at our wedding several decades ago… so grateful to be reminded of it… I think I will post it above my desk to read and ponder every day 🙂
Thank you, Evan!!
Mrs. Eddy states: “Love redolent with unselfishness bathes all in beauty and light”
S&H p. 516
I also love the photo! so joyful… ”rooted and grounded in love…” comes to mind. 🙂
Susan, what a lovely joyful hymn to have for you wedding – and now lovely memories of
the wedding every time you sing it.
Also thank you for Mrs. Eddy’s statement re “Love being redolent with unselfishness,”
I looked up the word “redolent” and came up partly with “making you think of something
through a strong scent, memory, or suggestion,” which links in with the choice of your
wedding hymn.. and I love the thought of this expression of love being “bathed i beauty and light”
Thank you Evan and others who have commented today!
Nowhere is striving to be unselfish more needed than in marriages and families. In her chapter “Marriage” in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes: “Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”
I also feel a wonderful way of giving unselfishly is to teach people. The saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” According to an AI summary:
– This famous proverb means that giving people skills and tools helps them become independent, rather than relying on short-term help.
Core Message: Focuses on long-term self-reliance, education, and community growth instead of simple handouts.
Thank you Evan and Everyone for these wonderfully shared messages. I am
reminded of the light from the flame of a candle. Sharing the flame does not
darken one’s light, but illuminates brighter those around us. If we hide our
light under a bushel, it is not shining to help others to see the spiritual view
that is ever-lasting, not bound by material sense-like limitations. Divine Love
is eternal. What a blessing!
Thank you Evan, for this and all your posts. They are wonderful daily reminders to pause, go to God, and walk the path He has set for each of us.
Thank you dear Evan for this important admonition to express selfless Love. I have to watch and pray that I express our loving God to glorify Him. Mrs. Eddy advises us to pray daily for ourself and let God lead and determine our way! And when we follow obediently we express selflessness and Love!
Dear J , I’m also familiar with that saying you mention. That makes a lot sense, thank you! 🙂
Dear Maggie, thank you very much for your wise words of Giving selflessly, it’s comforting and healing, so as is Evan’s Spirit/View! How utmost wonderful is Hamn 58, I think we all love it very much. It let’s us feel God’s loving nearness to all His creation including us all! Thank you very much! 🙂