What's in it for me?

Who decides what something is worth?

Obvious answer, we do,
and the more something is worth, the more potential it has to give us significance.
What we value becomes beautiful in our eyes. The greater the value, the more effort to preserve, protect, and pamper, the more likely we are to feel pain over its loss or damage.  Mistreatment is unacceptable because it reduces the value below what we think it should be. This is a problem. We may think something has great value, but we need others to agree in order for that value to be validated. Value is often determined based on the attitude of, "what's in it for me?" The value man assigns is therefore subjective and selfish.

Earlier in this book, I talked about our value system and asked you to make a list of all the things that give you value. My purpose then was to help you see how far off you are from finding your value in Christ alone, but that wasn't the final goal.
Up to this point, all I've written has been to get you to see your flesh for what it really is, in all its deceptive and alluring power, because that is what opposes the Spirit living within you and hinders you from walking by Him.
My goal was to lead you to this fork in the road where you must make a choice. Will you follow Christ the way He asked you to? Will you choose to crosswalk, to die daily?
Realistically, I know that my flesh doesn't want to be crucified, to carry a cross. I don't even like skipping a meal, wouldn't think of subjecting my body to taking cold showers, have zero tolerance for discomfort, and am insulted if ridiculed, misunderstood or betrayed. I don't want to give up my rights, my liberties or my life. Why don't I?

Are you serious?
Why would I ever want to?!

Good question.
Why would you ever want to?

I can tell you one reason why I would never want to, selfishness.
As long as I am still asking the question, "what's in it for me?", I'll never want to follow Christ the only way He has given.