CHARLES THOMPSON by Charles Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 8, 1914

CHARLES THOMPSON

By Charles Thompson

Selfishness

CHARLES THOMPSON

SELFISHNESS is ruinous to the human soul. It is unchristlike, and must be overcome by those who are followers of the Saviour. Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Following the path of selfishness leads away from God. Lucifer, a light bearer in heaven, followed it, and it turned him into Satan. Judas, one of the twelve chosen apostles, cherished it, and lost his position and his life here and hereafter.

Jesus warns against it in Luke 12: 15. He says: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Then follows a parable of a man who was selfish. He lived for self, he talked to himself concerning himself, and planned wholly for himself, and lost his soul. This illustration is the foundation for the admonition given above.

We have another selfish character brought to view in the Bible. In 3 John 9 we read: “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” John was a beloved disciple, chosen of God and ordained to bear responsibility in connection with his church upon earth. Seeing dangers threatening the church and being absent from them, he addressed a letter to them. But Diotrephes took the liberty to side-track it. The reason given is, “He loveth to have the preeminence.” He did not propose that any one should address the church but himself. He felt that he knew what the church needed. Then there were doubtless those who did not care to hear from any one but Diotrephes, and he, feeding upon this, took the preeminence.

This is the only mention we have of Diotrephes. He was evidently not the chosen leader of the church. We have no account of his being so. John addresses himself to Gaius, the well-beloved in the truth. But Diotrephes, who presumed to soar above and over all, ignores all rank, and as a self-opinionated and self-appointed leader, takes the preeminence.

He not only ignored John’s letter, but he prated against him with malicious words. Maliciousness is defined to be mischievous intentions; wrongful and done intentionally without just cause. Malice is a twin sister of envy, and envy is connected with selfishness.

Diotrephes endeavored to injure John’s influence with the church in his absence. He did not receive him or his letter, and forbade them that would. Thus we see he assumed to control the mind and dictate the actions of the brethren; and those who would dare to go contrary to his opinion, he took steps to eliminate not only from official position, but from the church itself. Immediately following the description of Diotrephes, the disciple admonishes the beloved to “follow not that which is evil.”

May the Lord ever keep his children humble. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased. Let us bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, who taught us that in all things whatsoever we would that men should do unto us we should do even so unto them. May the Lord deliver us all from ourselves.

Minneapolis, Minn.