"Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money . . . unloving . . . lovers of pleasure instead of God. Holding to a form of godliness . . . " (II Timothy 3: 1-5) NASB vs. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." (John 3:16)
Several years ago, when I was still practicing, many books were written upon the subject of loving yourself. Interestingly, II Timothy 3 says that this self-love is one of the signs of the end times.
Today this self-love approach is accepted by most professional counselors as an axiom (a foundational truth).
During this period, I can't remember ever hearing that loving yourself can be related to becoming unloving. I found that if a person stresses loving themselves before others, they easily lose focus on the needs of others, and the vulnerable trust that has been freely given (a person's children fall into this category). And, the divorce rate soared. Often, people were sorry later that they had sought their own comfort and pleasure first.
This "me first" is a deception that is one of the devil's "schemes" (Eph.6:11) as a Christian, that strays from selfless love (which John 3:16 tells us is essential godly love), begins to slide on a slippery slope leading into a toxic sea..
Lovers of themselves are lovers who are "unloving" as the love they give is primarily sell-centered. This does not surprise experienced adults, and it certainly does not surprise Almighty God.
Dear Father, please help me to be a channel of Your love in 2016. Everyday, let me practice and tell about the Christmas love You demonstrated so long ago. Work in my heart that I may have a constant desire to tell everyone about the living words of John 3:16. Thank You, in Jesus' name amen.
Dr. Bob (AZ)