Have you seen this list compiled by Kevin McHugh?

Toddler Rules of Ownership and Sharing

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, It's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it
down, automatically it becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
11. If it is broken, but you are having fun playing
with the pieces, it's mine again.
12. If there is any doubt, it's mine.

Considering this list, Stan Mitchell mused: "We smile indulgently because these are, after all, toddlers...  It's sad, however, when an adult exhibits this sort of selfishness." *

But we do!

In fact, selfishness is at the root of all sin.  Consider mankind's first sin in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3).  The serpent (Satan) told Eve that despite what God had said, she would not die.  Satan added: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5).

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it" (Genesis 3:6).

Satan tempted Eve with the lust of the flesh ("saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food"), the lust of the eyes ("pleasing to the eye"), and the pride of life ("desirable for gaining wisdom").  Cf. 1 John 2:15-17.

Yet all of these avenues of temptation appeal to our Self-ish-ness!

Selfishness leads to SIN, and sin leads to DEATH!  "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23).

But God loves us so much that He wants to free us from the prison of self and sin.  He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the price for our redemption (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7).

He will save and give eternal life to those who submit to the Savior by placing their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31),  turning from sin in repentance  (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  To those who continue to trust and follow Him, Jesus will give victory over self and sin!

"Mine, mine, mine!"  We expect to hear that from children.  But we need to realize that all things belong to God, who wants each of us to "get out of ourselves" and into His purposes for us that lead to salvation and life!

Won't YOU turn from self and trust and obey Him?

David Sargent, Minister