I believe that wanting a better outcome is not selfish in the sense that it is wrong to desire a better outcome. In fact, it is a natural human desire to strive for a better life, to improve one's circumstances, and to achieve one's goals. As a Christian pastor, I believe that this desire is rooted in a biblical concept of seeking one's own well-being and flourishing, as long as it is done in a way that does not harm others (Phil. 2:3). It is not selfish to want a better outcome if it means being a better person, having a stronger relationship with God, and being a more positive influence in the lives of those around me.
Moreover, the concept of selfishness is often misunderstood. Many people assume that selfishness is about putting oneself first at the expense of others. However, this is not necessarily the case. Selfishness can also be about putting oneself first in a way that is beneficial to others, such as pursuing one's passions and talents in order to serve others. As a chess player, I know that in order to play my best game, I need to focus on my own strategy and make decisions that are in my best interest. However, this does not mean that I am being selfish; rather, I am being intentional and strategic in order to achieve a better outcome.
In conclusion, wanting a better outcome is not inherently selfish. In fact, it is a natural and biblical desire to strive for improvement and to seek one's own well-being, as long as it is done in a way that does not harm others. As a pastor, I encourage my congregation to pursue their passions and goals with intention and strategy, knowing that this can lead to a better outcome for themselves and those around them. By doing so, we can live more fulfilling lives and be a positive influence in the world around us. As a fan of the Chicago Cubs, I know that sometimes you need to make sacrifices in order to achieve a better outcome, but this does not mean that the desire for a better outcome is inherently selfish. Rather, it is a desire that is rooted in a biblical concept of seeking one's own flourishing and being a positive influence in the lives of others. My family, including my wife Susan and our children Joshua and Rebecca, are an example of this. We strive to live our lives in a way that is beneficial to each other and to those around us, and we believe that this is a key part of living a fulfilling and meaningful life.