While I do consider myself a good person, and I'd give you the shirt off my back, I am still generally always looking out for Number One (me). :o) What about you?
2007-10-19 08:28:49 · 46 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yep, me too. Barbie's right. Don't you think a certain amount of that is self-preservation? I guess the line between selfishness and self-preservation can get blurred, but if you have a good heart and a generous spirit, and most important, if you realize the human tendency toward selfishness, they you're probably doing all right.
2007-10-19 08:31:28 · answer #1 · answered by Acorn 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
As I see it sister temptation. You are selfish. You do not have children, do you? You've never been in a situation to know what your character would be. To know if your selfish, you must first try selfless. Giving some on the shirt off your back is not a problem for you because you look like you'd rather be naked anyway. LOL
But always look out for you and yours first. Don't pick up hitch hiekers, don't let friends move in with you, you'll end up paying for them. Don't believe anything you hear, pick up lines. Always use protection! Always use them before they can use you. Don't expect anything from anyone. Don't accept gift from men, and don't whatever you do, tell anyone your secrets. It's a dog eat dog world. What kind of dog are you?
2007-10-19 08:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by MessieJessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You SHOULD be selfish. If being selfish means living up to your values, which it does. "Enlightened self-interest" is being selfish in the big picture, living in such a way that your own most dearly held values are upheld and advanced. So even when you do things that help others, you are still being "selfish" because you are fulfilling your own values. When I help a stranger change a tire, I do it because I want to live in a world where people help each other out.
The opposite of "selfish" would mean that you are always working to defeat your own values -- that is, you actually work to obtain what you think is bad and evil -- that is wrong.
So, I honestly hope that I am as selfish as I can possibly be -- and I also hope that I can get a clear grasp of my own values and their meanings in the big picture.
2007-10-19 08:34:52 · answer #3 · answered by Matthew O 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though I hate to admit it,
I am a selfish person.
Like you say,
I would give the shirt off my back
and I would help anyone that ask me.
I have helped many people who have came to me.
But, as human nature would have it,
I still think about myself.
I'm always wanting to do
what I want to do.
Always wanting to buy
things that make me happy.
That is the message of the world
look out for numero uno.
God says "This world will soon fade away and everything in it."
As Christians, we are not supposed to concern ourselves with this world.
But, alas, human nature is strong,
and so is today's society.
2007-10-19 09:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do admit that I'm somewhat selfish... while also being generous. I'll give anyone anything they ask for. Today, I bought several items for my son's teacher so she wouldn't have to buy them herself and I realized the Costco clerk hadn't run up something in my cart before I got to the door and went back to pay for it (which SHOCKED the checker and bagger... how sad is that?).
I think all of us, regardless of religion, tend to look out for number one at all times... but one can be selfish AND generous, just depends on the circumstances.
2007-10-19 08:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have wrestled with this one for a long time, if I am dong a good deed and I feel good about it them am I selfish? or there two winners? Found I would help strangers before my nearest and dearest too, what that about?
More questions than answers there but hope it gets you thinking, what a great gift
2007-10-19 08:33:39 · answer #6 · answered by northcarrlight 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used to give guys on the freeway off-ramps some of my tips when I was delivering pizza, it made me feel better about how selfish I realize I actually am.
2007-10-19 08:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by jdc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to look out for yourself first, and make sure that all your necessities are taken care of. After that, can start helping others. It's not being selfish, it's just taking care of yourself.
2007-10-19 08:32:35 · answer #8 · answered by Tiff 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, yes, I'm selfish too.
I'm a sinner and in need of God's forgiveness and must strive to get out of my "comfort zone" (like most people).
2007-10-19 08:36:03 · answer #9 · answered by Eric G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your question is contradicting itself. You give the shirt off your back "assuming its the only one you have at the moment" but yet look out for number one. Doesn't compute
2007-10-19 08:35:05 · answer #10 · answered by mariposa 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋