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Selfishness

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From Urantia Wiki, the encyclopedia of The Urantia Book

Also: egoism.

Material feelings and human emotions breed selfish acts, while religious insights and spiritual motivations inspire unselfish acts of social service and altruistic benevolence. 102:3.3

In early conflict between egoism and altruism, the Thought Adjuster places preference on the latter for the goal of human happiness and the joys of the kingdom of heaven. 103:2.4-10

Egotism is vainglorious and suicidal, hindering intellectual cross-fertilization and ethical awakening. 52:6.4-6 111:6.9

Only after experiencing the sorrow and disillusionment of selfish pursuits will individuals be open to embracing the gospel of the kingdom. 195:9.7

Indulging the satisfactions of selfishness now may lead to exclusion from the kingdom in the future. 166:3.4

Selfishness guarantees the downfall of the highest type of government, as it reflects the moral values of citizens and their chosen leaders, outweighing the political form of the state. 71:3.1

Selfishness leads to darkness, death, and grief, but seeking God's goodness can deliver us from captivity and offer renewed opportunities for wiser living. 130:1.2 131:3.6

Despite receiving patient instruction and loving warnings about their critical tendencies and self-importance, Lucifer and Caligastia wrongly judged their well-meaning advisers based on their own growing selfishness. 66:8.2

Man can reject survival by selfishly refusing to trust the divine pilot guiding the ascending soul to eternal salvation. 111:1.9

Selfishness may thwart the natural and instinctive bond between mother and child. 84:1.7

Profit-driven economics is doomed without a balance of profit and service motives, as ruthless competition based on narrow-minded self-interest is ultimately destructive. 71:6.1

Nonreligious activities distort the universe for selfish gain, while true religious individuals align themselves with the universe for the benefit of all beings. 5:4.3

Jesus portrayed the folly and sin of prostituting divine talents for selfish gain, as Lucifer and Caligastia did. 136:6.9

Unbridled self-will and unregulated self-expression culminate in unmitigated selfishness, the epitome of ungodliness. 54:1.5

The universal economy thrives on motion and progress, reminding us that the universe is not egocentric and that we must recognize our responsibility to serve others. 28:6.18

The reward of weariness awaits those who ignore their brothers in the flesh, while pure hearts shall see God. 131:1.6

The attempt to secure equal good for the self and for the greatest number of other selves presents a problem which cannot always be satisfactorily resolved in a time-space frame, as whoever would save his life shall lose it. 103:5.6 140:5.19 158:7.5 160:5.10

Purely material and wholly self-centered prayers do not find a place in the spirit circuit of the Eternal Son. 7:3.6

In the Urantia Book

Spiritual deliverance from selfishness

  • Jesus portrayed conquest by sacrifice, showing mercy to portray spiritual deliverance from all grudges, grievances, anger, and the lust for selfish power and revenge. 141:3.8
  • Avoiding selfishness contributes to the economy of spiritual growth by fostering religious habits that cultivate sensitivity to divine values and encourage reflection on cosmic meanings. 100:1.8
  • It is important to be exposed to a vast number of other religious experiences to prevent egocentricity in your spiritual life. 103:1.3
  • Forsaking the self-life is essential to choosing the divine life and embracing true righteousness. 3:5.13
  • To transcend personal interests, meditate in God's sovereign presence to understand divine meanings and spiritual values. 99:7.4
  • Rest in the unassailable citadel of the spirit when the flood tides of selfishness and adversity assail the mortal soul. 100:2.7

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

See also

AltruismEgocentricityEgotismSelf-importance
Categories: Concepts and teachings