'If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.' ~ Philippians 2:1-7

   And that's what we should strive for!  Christ showed the ultimate form of selflessness.  He was a humble servant, though He deserves far more, and He knows it.

   So where did selfishness start?  Way back in Genesis.  Adam and Eve wanted to be like God.  They ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because they were selfish.  They wanted control of their own lives.

   It doesn't stop there.  Examples of selfishness are found throughout the Bible.  Read Luke 19:1-10.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and he often collected more taxes from the people than necessary so he could keep the money for himself.  He climbs a tree here so that he can see Jesus instead of helping someone else to see Him.  Zacchaeus had his own interests in mind.  However, notice what he does after he sees Jesus.  Zacchaeus decides to give half his possessions to the poor and also to pay back anyone he's cheated (4 times the amount!).

   Now skip back a few chapters and read Luke 15:11-24.  The prodigal son was selfish.  He wanted his share of the inheritance before his father even died.  He only wanted to party and live a life full of pleasing himself instead of spending time with his father.  However, look at his brother.  He is also selfish.  Instead of rejoicing that his brother is back, he gets upset over a fattened calf!

   Look back on these accounts, and think of some situations in your own life where selfishness ruled.  Notice what it does.  It destroys relationships.  It destroys worship.  It destroys happiness.  It destroys witness.  How are we to be effective Christians if selfishness is ruling our lives?  When we put our wants over the needs of others, even over worshiping God, look at what it does!  Who wants to be the friend of a person who only wants things his or her own way?  In the end, happiness is taken away because relationships are broken.

   So how do we get rid of it?  First, ask yourself what's making you so selfish.  In Mark 8:34-35 it says, 'Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.''  Encounter Christ!  Surrender your life to Him instead of seeking after fleeting pleasures.  Then ask God to change your attitude.  In Psalm 119:2 it says, 'Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.'  Seek him with all your heart instead of seeking after selfish desires.  Finally, look for opportunities to be unselfish!  There are many little ways to help everywhere.  Serving others doesn't have to be a big production!  Even opening the door for someone is a kind gesture.