Life of Selfishness ( 17 )
Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .
| Appears 17 times in the writings of EGW |
| Self-sacrifice is the key-note of Christ's teachings. Often this is enjoined upon believers in language that seems authoritative, because there is no other way to save men than to cut them away from their life of selfishness.Christ gave, in his life on earth, a true representation of the power of the gospel. He suffered the cruel death on the cross, that we might have a true conception of his love for us, and of the spirit of self-sacrifice that must take possession of every believer in him. He became poor that we through his poverty might be made rich. To every soul who will suffer with him in resistance of sin, in labor for his cause, in self-denial for the good of others, he promises a part in the eternal reward of the righteous. Through the exercise of the spirit that characterized his life-work, we are to become partakers of his nature. Partaking in this life of sacrifice for the sake of others, we shall share with him in the life to come the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." {RH, September 28, 1911 par. 9} |
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| Let none suppose that they can live alife of selfishness, and then, having served their own interests, enter into the joy of their Lord. In the joy of unselfish love they could not participate. They would not be fitted for the heavenly courts. They could not appreciate the pure atmosphere of love that pervades heaven. The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy them. To their minds the science of heaven would be as an enigma. {COL 364.2} {ChS 104.4} |
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| Some are closing their probation; and is it well with them? have they obtained a fitness for the future life? Will not their record show wasted opportunities, neglected privileges, a life of selfishness and worldliness that has borne no fruit to the glory of God? And how much of the work which the Master has left for us to do has been left undone. All around us are souls to be warned; but how often has the time been occupied in self-serving, and the record gone up to God of souls passing to their graves unwarned and unsaved. {5T 18.3} |
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| Brethren, awake from your life of selfishness, and act like consistent Christians. The Lord requires you to economize your means and let every dollar not needed for your comfort flow into the treasury. Sisters, take that ten cents, that twenty cents, that dollar which you were about to spend for candies, for ruffles, or for ribbons, and donate it to God's cause. Many of our sisters earn good wages, but it is nearly all spent in gratifying their pride of dress. {5T 156.1} |
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| Those engaged in any department of our institutions should realize that they are there to work for God. They are co-laborers with Jesus. No selfishness should mar their work. Many who acknowledge that our institutions belong to the Lord and that they are connected with them as His laborers, neglect the claims of God. Yet they do not sense that they are doing wrong. They are shut up to self-serving. Let them not suppose that they can live a life of selfishness, merely serving their own interests, and then at last enter into the joy of their Lord. He who refuses to impart to others that which he has received, will at last find that he has nothing to give. It will be said, "Take the talent from him." We should not mistake the enjoyment of our blessings for the use we should make of them. {SW, October 9, 1901 par. 4} |
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