Considering that self-centeredness interferes with spiritual advancement, we must constantly take inventory of ourselves and examine our thought patterns to root out selfishness. Most of the time we are preoccupied with our wants—not even our needs. Even such a lofty desire as the wish for salva- tion is rooted in selfishness.
When someone accidentally deviates due to overwhelming circumstances, the deviation is considered to be a sin. However, if the person continues acting defiantly even after recognizing their improper behavior, it then turns into an offense.
It is very materialistic when we have people in the devotee community who so eagerly want to get credit for their activities and who so eagerly want to claim responsibility. Whenever Srila Prabhupada received glorification, he would react in the opposite way by giving all the credit to his spiritual master. On the other hand, materialistic people and neophytes are so quick to let everyone know that they are the ones. Some people are so much into glorification that they get disturbed when they do not get enough praise. Therefore, when a little praise does come, they wonder why it took so long. When people get their Nobel prizes, their Oscars, their degrees, they say, “It’s about time. They should have given it to me last year. Even though I had the best performance last year, at least they gave it to me this year.”
The real test of renunciation comes as we encounter various situations in daily life. Renunciation means a genuine commitment to serve the Lord rather than ourselves in all circumstances. We must see ourselves as caretakers for the Lord rather than proprietors of anyone or anything.