Waitress
There was an incident at an Indianapolis bar, Kilroy’s, on New Year’s Eve, where a 70+-year-old patron, celebrating with her husband and son, had a heart attack and had to have paramedics come to her aid (she was revived at the hospital and is expected to survive). Unfortunately, another patron there at the same time wrote a scathing review of the bar stating that a drug addict had been admitted into the bar and overdosed. She stated that she would never go back to the place again because they ruined her night by making her have to see a dead body taken out on a stretcher and the staff was giving all their attention to the lady’s guests and not helping her figure out her $700 bill. She then went on to blame the waitress of taking advantage because she knew she was guaranteed a gratuity.
This kind of response is so indicative of what is wrong in this world. To be upset about your ruined night instead of the human being clinging to life (or dead, as she thought), regardless of the reason the person was suffering, is the epitome of complete selfish thinking. It is the cause of so much evil, hurt and broken lives.
The Bible states in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” and we see that this is true every single day. But, I will venture to say that thinking only or mainly of yourself above all else goes together with the love of money as James 3:16: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Selfish Ambition
I would venture to say that every murder, rape, theft or any other crime is somehow linked to someone’s selfish ambition. But major crimes are not the only horrible actions to come out of selfishness. Every type of abuse – verbal, emotional, sexual and physical – lying, cheating, hate…and the list goes on – come out of being self-focused above all else. Nothing positive comes from it and it is evidenced by the fact that people who live this way aren’t very happy people. It is a very solitary life. There is no happiness without having friends and companions around to share in your life. When you’re overly self-focused, people don’t stay around too long unless they are very dependent people or family.
We all go into selfish thinking sometimes. We’re human and it is part of our nature. But it doesn’t and won’t become a way of life if we continually renew our minds and seek to think of others.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
