If we are made in God's image why can't we be selfish?

Question

So if we are made in his image and everything in life is about him and for him and for his will. . . then why did he make us in his image and then expect us not to to do the same? Why should he be so selfish, always wanting only his way and then expect us to be the opposite? Why are we expected to give up our own desires, goals and wishes to trade them in for his desires goals and wishes. He can be selfcentered but he tells us we can't?

Answer 1

People who ask questions as this are people that are inner searching for the truth themselves. It would be easy to quote or battle any as you. I could say for example, why don't you ask God yourself? I understand what you are stating here, but you have to ask yourself, why do you feel you have to ask or make statements like this. It is like you have your own religion of atheism and are looking for converters. People who believe in God do so by faith. Faith is a thing unseen. The answer to your statement is, God created man. He gave you life. You were created in His image. You have to learn what His image is. Begin inside yourself when you do a good thing, or have a feeling of peace or accomplishment. Place your faith in yourself or mankind and I am sure at the end you will feel alone and defeated. No one knows the mind of God, but since you have no faith in Him, you defend your thoughts by questioning why.

Answer 2

Hello. If God were selfish and self-centered as you allege then He should not have given us free will. I think you just got it all wrong. If you try to read the bible you would notice that it basically tells us of man's nature and tendencies. And also it gives us a guide of virtually everything we need to know and do in life. God willed for the bible to be written not to impose His will on us mortals, whom He created, but to give us a sort of guide on living so that we won't get lost. Now, after giving us this guide, it is actually up to us to follow or to go the other way. That free will or leeway is given to us. It is basically comparable to an enacted law by congress. We may or may not abide by it. However, we should be ready for the consequences of our decision or act regarding following or not following such law. If you are somewhat confused about the person of God, you may try reading St. Augustine's life. Please, it will help you settle your issues with God. HE LOVES YOU! YES HE DOES!

Answer 3

You are just misinformed. You can be selfish if you want to.
God doesn't tell you that you can't. The point is that most people find joy in sharing. I know that I do and I know that when I receive gifts, I can tell by the look on the giver's faces that it brings them more joy than it has me to receive them.
If being selfish brings you joy and inner peace, then by all means, go right ahead. God just doesn't want you to cheat yourself out of any possible happiness. But He doesn't care if you don't care. Gods wish for you is for your highest wish for yourself. That is God's will. That simple.

Answer 4

Deep inside, you love God...
Only, temptations always happened everywhere. God never says it is easy to follow Him, but if we want we can with His help, patience and love (remember Peter the apostle? He was very weak and easy to get angry, but still Jesus chose Him to be the shepherd of His flocks).

He is not going to trade us with anything outside of Him, that is why we found Him sometimes to be selfcentered.

Keep staying with Him and talk to Him anytime you have problem.
When you really lies in Him, He would show you His presence because He knows it's your right to find Him.

Answer 5

God made the world and then gave it all to US. WE have the right to determine our own destiny. God gives us all the help and aid that we need to make it in life and even goes beyond that to give us happy, healthy lives. But most importantly God sent His Son to die for us so that we could live. I'd have to say that I don't agree with you supposition that God is self-centered. God gives and gives and gives. Selfish beings don't do that for what would be the point if everything is centered on you.

Answer 6

Your missing one thing. God is holy. He's perfect. We are not. When God created us in His image it means that He gave us free will and the gift of reason unlike everything else in creation. The first humans chose to sin against Him and thus separated themselves from His divine providence. For us to argue to God that we have a right to be selfish when WE'RE the ones in sin is proclaiming that We know better than Almighty God!

Answer 7

You must have been a fun kid for your parents to raise...!

Think of God as the "ULTIMATE DAD"; all-knowing....all-powerful...mysteriousness out the wazoo...and definitely interested in the human race...even to the point of individual attention (yes, this means YOU).

It's too big to imagine, isn't it? Think about what it's going to be like to meet Him in person, instead of talking about Him or trying to imagine Him.

He's got a plan for you. He's got a plan for everyone. He's got plan for the whole Earth, but it's going to get much, much worse before it gets better. Hang on. Get educated. Get together with others. Keep a good attitude. God gets to be self-centered because He's looking out for you and for all of us. He's The Man Upstairs.

Answer 8

He's not selfish!! Look at the those in your life Bud! He wants everything for us, to be happy, abundant, free...he knows better what will make that happen. There is nothing selfish about God.

Answer 9

What??? Have U been smokin' something?? If God's as selfish as u claim, how is it He gave His only Son that all who believe might have eternal life??? Ur really beggin the question, bud.

Answer 10

Our soul is a piece of his being. it is pure, it is how we are to be, we have a free will, to do with this soul as we wish. opening the soul to the spirits influence if done by faith and a willingness to do gods will.