The Root of the Problem

Read Genesis 2:15-20
Besides the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, how could man have also sinned in the Garden of Eden? How did man display his love for God in regard to his other garden responsibilities? What responsibility did man have regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

Read Genesis 2:17
Was the tree in the garden a temptation or an opportunity for man? Consider why man disobeyed God. What was his motive?

From that day forward there were two constants: 1) People are self-serving; and 2) Love for God is shown in obeying His will.

People are Self-Serving

Read Genesis 4:9
Cain killed Abel, his brother. He also demonstrated his self-serving attitude. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Sound familiar? Jesus faced a similar circumstance when speaking with the teacher of the law (See Luke 10:25-29). It is God’s will that we love others. To suggest that we are not our brother’s keeper or to be ignorant of who are neighbor is indicates we are serving ourselves, seeking our own good, our own glory, and our own desires.

Read Psalm 38:11
What is it about hardship and bad times that turn friends and neighbors into strangers? Why is it when people need us most we are inclined to be distant?

Read Micah 3:11
How did the people in Micah’s time view their relationship with God? Compare that with the words of Zechariah 7:4-6 and Revelation 3:14-18. What do these passages say about those who presume to be in God’s family?

Read Philippians 2:21
What do these words say about the nature of people? Consider some examples from your own life how this might be sadly true.

Read 2 Timothy 3:2-4
Consider some practical examples how the words of these verses appear true in today’s society.

Love for God is Shown in Obeying His Will

Read 1 Corinthians 10:24
Consider this passage and ask yourself, “Whose good is foremost on my mind?” Compare it with Philippians 2:3-5. Consider your attitude towards others and your attitude towards yourself. How consistent is your life with these words?

Read Romans 15:1,2
In compassion for others, what do these words request of us? What is the goal of caring for others?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:15
What changes us from being self-serving to caring for others? Why does this change us?

Read James 2:15,16
What does this passage say about caring for the physical needs of others? Compare it with Matthew 25:31-46.

Read Galatians 6:2
Some people argue that they do not want to be a burden on anyone. How does that argument compare to the words of this passage?

Read 1 John 3:17
Based on this passage, what does a compassionate heart tell about a person?

From the moment Adam and Eve gave in to their selfish desires to be like God everything changed. A legacy of being self-serving permeates the human race. As we can see from the passages above, it is the inclination of all people to think and act selfishly. Especially alarming are the accounts that describe the selfishness and uncaring attitudes of those considered to be in God’s family of believers.

These accounts serve as warnings for us not to become entrapped in the selfish ways of the world. Each of us is to look at the plight of others. In so doing, it is not our calling to judge or avoid, but to step forward and act. We are to be reflections of the perfect and sacrificial love of God that gave us Jesus.