Adventistische Schriften über: "Friendships/relationships based only on interest or/and utility?"

The writings describe relationships that are primarily oriented toward personal advantage as contradictory to the Christian life. Those who pursue only their own desires, their own benefit, and their own comfort, while ignoring the needs and expectations of others, do not cultivate selfless benevolence. Such a selfish interaction distances one from God and hinders genuine spiritual community.

Ellen G. White illustrates that selfish thinking and acting weaken spiritual power and reduce coexistence to a system of give and take, rather than unconditional love and mutual support.

Selfishness instead of selfless love in the family

»As a family, you have for so long directed yourselves only toward your own wishes, your own pleasures, and your own comfort, that you do not feel that others have expectations of you. Your thoughts, plans, and efforts are centered on yourselves. You live for yourselves; you do not cultivate selfless benevolence...«

1 - Ellen Gould White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3 (3T 521.2)

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Self-interest in hospitality and community interactions

»Your greatest concern and interest were directed toward yourselves; you expected others to be interested in you, to care for you, while you only cared for yourselves... You considered yourselves, your comfort, and your interests, regardless of the inconveniences and interests of those with whom you shared hospitality.«

2 - Ellen Gould White, Lt 1, 1873 (2LtMs, Lt 1, 1873, par. 5)

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