It was probably built less than fifty years ago, but the roof was caved in and the walls threatened to collapse at any time. Vines choked the front porch and the once-white siding was dark green and fuzzy. The foundation was crumbling from a combination of rot, termites, and ants. It was beyond repair, and the original culprit was fungus. Miniscule fungi spores, left unchecked, had taken down a giant.  

A recent article by Jeanee Huber, published in the Washington Post, and titled Yes, Fungus Can Eat Your House Here’s What to Know explained that one particular fungus is especially dangerous.

If it is the fungus long known as Poria incrassata but now officially called Meruliporia incrassata, you’re smart to be concerned. Often called the house-eating fungus, it’s considered one of the most devastating of all the fungi that destroy wood. Given that fungi cause more damage to structures than termites and other insects, that ranking is pretty scary.

You may have witnessed a similar, more sinister phenomenon amongst people. Good human beings who should be happy and healthy find their life collapsing and crumbling.  It seemed to sneak up on them. The culprit: selfishness. We are all susceptible. It starts small and appears inconsequential, but, if left unchecked, it can completely destroy lives. 

Selfishness has choked out marriages, destroyed parent-child relationships and tainted the character and integrity of many good people. It has led to murder, suicide, and addictions. It is the driving force behind crime, wars, and greed. Our world culture not only ignores the problem, it seems to promote this social decay. Advertisers prey on it and politicians manipulate it to their advantage. Popular catch phrases like “get it while you can”, “do what makes you happy”, and “look out for number 1”, betray the fact that there is a dangerous fungus at work among us. 

Forgive an obvious observation: the cure is selflessness. While it seems weaker and less desirable than selfishness, it eventually benefits even those who are selfless to the point of sacrifice. Selflessness is a message Jesus preached. He was cancelled as a result. People didn’t want to hear about the dangers of that “fungi.” But Jesus went on to prove His point. Hardly anyone remembers the names of those who charged Him in a kangaroo court. Few remember the major political leaders who were involved in His death. But a majority of people know at least something about the God-man who selflessly gave His life for everyone – even those who had Him “lynched.” 

There are so many people around us who are still doing their best to rise above selfishness and live selfless lives. Today might be a good time to express appreciation to one of those people. Their kindness…. their giving… their sacrifices are protecting people from the fungus of selfishness that has the power to destroy families, nations, and eternal souls.

If you are living selflessly, but feeling like you are running on empty, find some other selfless people to partner with.  That was the idea behind communities of faith like Jesus started. That is what churches and prayer groups were designed to do. They are groups of everyday, ordinary, imperfect people who are drawing on God’s grace and trying to change the world for the better – by living selflessly.