Selfness Versus Selfishness
H. W. Beecher. Matthew 19:19 Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 1. Christ made change from selfishness to benevolence the very marrow of religion. Selfness is to become a mother and ministrant of true benevolence — "as thy self." He did not put His hand upon slavery, but if this principle could be secured all these evils would die away. 2. Religion, both in the individual and in the sects, as well as in theology, is to be tested by its power to develop benevolence. 3. All great schemes of reformation will fail which do not begin with releasing men from animal selfishness. (H. W. Beecher.) Parallel Verses KJV: Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. WEB: 'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"