It means the tendency to always put others before yourself, your wants or your needs. (not Gangsta at all)
This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at June 22, 2017 12:17 PM MDT
It was thought also years ago that the major virtue a Christian could exhibit was sacrifice. We apparently recently figured out that on the contrary, Christ came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Altruistic?---yes, both to and for a point---the primary beneficiaries are my family---And that of course requires that I exercise good judgment--after all, I'm allowed to lay down my life, but not to throw it away.
As for people in general---to some degree, depending on the actual difference my altruism is likely to facilitate.
Otherwise, as Rabbi Hillel said, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?"
This post was edited by tom jackson at June 22, 2017 12:37 PM MDT
I don't think Christ ever said nor thought any of that stuff.
Sorry, the Christians have a long and hard road to try and find Jesus' meaning by trying to interpret Him on that level.
Jesus spoke in parables, like all the wise do when they address multitudes. There is a story that paints a picture. The picture resonates on the level and ability that each person can understand.
Abundance is not saying we should start feeling good about having stuff. It is saying that we already have everything and we need gratitude to see that truth in actuality. I can be the poorest man on earth and have abundance compared to the TRUMPS who have everything, hoard as much as they can and then worry that they cannot get even more. God is on THEIR side, after all.
Jesus was here to show us that the EGO must DIE. When we get out of our petty minds, needs, wants and the continually praying and asking for more, when we let go and let GOD, we have everything. When we care enough about our brother that we would be willing to give our life for another, we got the message.
We don't die. We die to the ego. The symbol of the cross is the letter "I" with a line across it. That makes the cross. You cross out the I and you have what is left. Christ consciousness.
I didn't say or suggest that Christ taught that---how did you come to that conclusion? Christians frequently misunderstand Christ's teachings.
Somehow many of us Christians drifted off into that brackish water.
I'm not sure that Christ intended to endorse any particular theory of psychoanalysis or to suggest that we must wait for the coming of Freud to understand what it means to die to one'self and live in Him. And the cross is an upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion. Thesign of the cross refers to any one of a number of manual acts which have this at least in common: that by the gesture of tracing two lines intersecting at right angles they indicate symbolically the figure of that life-giving symbol, Christ's cross.
Interpreting the symbol of the cross as the letter I negated by a strike is a little too gimmicky for me---but I get your point of the need for a fundamental change in the individual. The new law is now written on the hearts of men.
WHy would I assume that Christians are talking about Christ? Gee I don't know. The gimmiky thing I understand, but it does serve to show what I mean. Not that it was intended for any reason other than the idea.
I'm a Christian---and while I do talk to Him quite frequently in (prayer), neither He nor His teachings come up regularly in typical conversations.
Perhaps because what I believe in Christianity is so informed by reason that I don't always give credit where credit is due when it comes to the reason for my faith.
The idea is not a bad one. If I used it as a good "zinger," I would simply be quick to qualify it for understanding.
There is a lot of distance between an altruist and an egoist. I am certainly no egoist; I care deeply for the welfare of others but believe in personal responsibility and accountability. None of us are exempt from needing help during the course of a lifetime, even more than once.
Altruism, a quality very hard to apply when the imperfect human tendency is to be selfish and egotistical. Nevertheless, an excuse most may use from striving to be a better person. To put others needs before one's own is a concept hard to accept, especially in a society that promotes the satisfying of the ego before anything else.
This post was edited by Autumnleaves at June 27, 2017 6:12 PM MDT
Pearl 