Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, started his life as a scam artist. One of Jacob's biggest scams was where he was able to talk his brother out of his birthright for a dish of red pottage. Another one of Jacob's scams consisted of Jacob taking advantage of Isaac's poor eyesight to receive Esau's blessing. Jacob did not stay a scam artist all of his life.

Bible Summary. People that are self-centered are absorbed in themselves. They have no room in their heart for God. Self-centered people have no room for the true love of another person. A self-centered person glories in him or herself and not in God. Self-centered people are outside of God's plan. God desires for us to trust Him more than anything else in this world.

Bible Summary. Selfishness and love are complete opposites. Selfishness is solely focused on satisfying its own flesh. Love on the other hand is focused on pleasing others. Pride and selfishness go hand-in-hand. They are both self-centered. They are both in contention with God and with everyone around them. Selfishness is infectious.

Ecclesiastes 7:8. Part of learning patience is to quell our pride. If we have pride in our spirit, we put ourselves first above all people to include God. Pride does not want to wait; it wants instant gratification. Pride has no purpose except self-gratification. Pride is at odds with God's purpose in our lives. Patience comes with us having hope in something greater than ourselves.

1 Corinthians 13:5. Love is never inpatient, mean, envies, prideful, short-lived, or self-serving. Many people think of love as a two-way agreement with if and then statements. They say, " If you love me or take care of me or satisfy me or say good things about me or give me a lot of money or maintain your beauty, then I will love you." This is not love.

Galatians 5:13. When one or both partners in a relationship lack commitment, this is a sign of a bad relationship. God has given us freedom to do what we want, but that does not mean we should do whatever our flesh desires. Many of us that are married may have the opportunity to commit adultery, but that does not mean that we should do it.

Psalms 101:4. If you display selfish behavior with God or your neighbor, God will not put up with you for very long. Because God is a righteous God, He cannot be in the presence of the proud. The proud place more honor on themselves than God. God counts this type of person as wicked and He will not know him. Neither will God put up with a proud person that slanders his neighbor.

1 John 3:17. A key difference between love and lust is that lust only cares for itself (self love). Lust always focuses on an object to fulfill its desire. This object can be a woman, money, a car, a dress, fried chicken - anything. From lust's perspective its object of affection is only there to fulfill. Lust has no compassion for what it lusts for.