1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

IN THE TEXT, "Love not the world," we donot understand the term "world" to meaneither the human race or the planet on whichwe live. The thought of the text seems tobe more particularly the present order ofthings, for the Greek word here translatedworld is kosmos, signifying arrangement.We are to appreciate the beauties of nature.We are to love the human family, whomGod also loves, though not in the sense inwhich He loves the Church of Christ. We read, "Godso loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, buthave everlasting life."--John 3:16.St. John cannot therefore be understood to refer tothe world of mankind, when he says, "Love not the world."For them we should have sympathy similar to that whichthe Heavenly Father has for the fallen race. The Scripturesinform us that the present order, or arrangement,of things on earth is entirely out of harmony with God'swill, or purpose; for the world is ruled by selfishness.The Divine arrangement is that love shall be the ruleamong God's creatures. "God is Love...He thatdwelleth in love dwelleth in God."--I John 4:8,16.The world operates along lines different from thoseof love. Each one strives selfishly to heap together treasurefor himself, even if meantime his neighbor goesdestitute. Many live in luxury, while realizing that thereare others who lack the necessities of life. Many seekfor power to control men, not with the thought of theiruplift, but with a view to using them for selfish endsand motives. This spirit of selfishness belongs to thepresent order of things. We see it in operationeverywhere.The spirit of the world lays hold of all the forces ofnature and seeks to control these, to adapt them to itsown selfish interests. It is true that much good has resultedindirectly from this spirit of selfishness. For instance,a man with a great amount of the vain-gloriousspirit may for his own selfish purposes benefit others. Ageneral might have so much pride in his service that inorder to win praise for himself he would care for hissoldiers and have them well dressed. Some of our greatcaptains of industry have done the world good service,and incidentally have blessed many, while carrying outtheir own designs.SELFISHNESS THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLDIf all of the great worldly enterprises were undertakenwith a view to the betterment of mankind, the spiritof these would not be selfish. We know, indeed, thatmuch is done to help those who are needy, and that wherethere is a motive of this kind, it is often misinterpretedand misjudged to be selfish. But "the Lord looketh onthe heart." (I Sam. 16:7.) Those who have the selfish