“Don’t be so selfish!”  We all heard that phrase while “growing up,” because we needed the reminder!  We are naturally bent toward self-care and self-satisfaction.  Little people learn how to say, “me,” “mine,” “leave me alone,” and “no” quite early.  Of course, there is an appropriate amount of self-care and self-interest that is essential and normal.  When Jesus taught about love He said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  He didn’t demean self-love but He did teach that self-love is not the only love.  We should take care of ourselves but we should not only think of ourselves.  Philippians 2:4 reads, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Self-love and self-interest unchecked can lead to very dangerous places.  Narcissism is a form of self-inflicted heart disease that has left many men and women isolated and lonely.  We need a Pattern and some serious Power to overcome our tendency toward selfishness.  Thank God for giving us both!  He has sent His Son as a model of selfless living and He has sent His Spirit to empower us to live like Him.  Thinking of others takes different forms depending on the context, we’ll study two of them on Sunday, Lord willing.  May the Lord open our eyes, soften our hearts and quicken our minds to receive His Word.