The Bible speaks of self-interest as a vice. It is only natural for individuals to focus on their own needs and interests, but Bible verses remind us that self-centeredness can lead to selfishness. The Bible tells us that being selfish means denying others the dignity and respect that they deserve. It is a sin, an evil. Unfortunately, selfishness is all too prevalent in our society today.
One of the main teachings of Christianity is to place God at the center of our lives, to focus our trust and faith in Him and to put aside ourselves. The Bible is full of warnings about practicing self-interest above all else. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,” Paul advises in Philippians 2:3. Proverbs 11:17 says: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” The Bible reminds us that being selfish fails to produce good results, and can be detrimental to our own well-being.
The Bible also speaks of selfishness as an attitude, noting that with selfishness comes a lack of love for others as well as for God. In 1 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says: “Love is not selfish.” Oftentimes selfishness hinders our ability to give and receive love and to nurture relationships. Moreover, it can turn us into manipulators and take away from living life with the warmth and generosity of spirit that Jesus intended.
The Bible always points to Jesus as the ultimate example of unselfishness. Philipians 2:5-8 says: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Jesus set a model of self-denial, living a life of love, servitude and humility. He invites us to do the same — to put God, love, and service before our own desires.
Compassion and Gratitude
The Bible speaks of compassion and gratitude as key attributes to practice if one wants to mitigate selfishness. Self-serving behavior often results from an individual’s underlying hurts, fears or insecurities. The Bible advises that if one is looking for personal contentment and serenity, then turning to God and filling our heart with gratitude for what we have, is the way to go. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The Bible also speaks of generosity, as a way to combat self-absorption. It encourages one to not worry about oneself, but to care for others who are in need. In Matthew 19:21, Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor.” He also taught in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” By focusing on our giving, and the ways by which we can help others, we combat our own tendencies towards selfishness.
The Virtue of Humility
The book of Proverbs speaks at length of a wide variety of virtues and how they help us attain a balanced and fulfilled life. One of these virtues is humility —a quality that leads us away from self-centeredness. In Proverbs 11:2, it says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Humility brings with it the awareness and acceptance of our own weaknesses and frailties, the understanding that we are not perfect. It helps us to think less about ourselves and more about the well-being of others. With humility as our guide, we can enjoy a life without selfishness — a life filled with love and servitude.
Forgiveness
At times, our apparent selflessness can be motivated by a desire to repair the harms we have done to others. In these instances, the Bible speaks of forgiveness as a way to bring ourselves back into the path towards full redemption. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” We are called to confess our wrongdoings, especially those done to people we have wronged, to make amends in order to be forgiven of our sins.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is another important lesson the Bible teaches about battling our selfishness. In Romans 12:1, we are asked to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. Thus we must not focus solely on ourselves and our own wants, needs and desires; instead, we must offer our lives to God and to others as a way of showing our love. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value,” Paul writes in Galatians 5:6. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.” The aim is to focus on unconditional love when dealing with the people in our lives.
Living a Life of Service
The Bible speaks of living a life of service as a way of getting closer to God and as a way of teaching our children humility, unselfishness and grace. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” There is a tremendous difference in how we make decisions when we focus on ‘what I can get’ versus ‘what can I give.’ The choice of constantly thinking about others shows the altruism and selflessness that the Bible promotes.
Fighting Temptations
The Bible also encourages us to practice self-control and to overcome temptations that can lead us to selfishness. In 1 Peter 5:8, it says: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” This serves as a warning to pay attention to our attitudes and to be aware of how they can shape our behavior. Furthermore, in James 1:12-15, it says: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Subduing the Urge For Control
Unwillingness to forgo control is often at the root of selfishness. The Bible warns that our desire to dominate is harmful: “Overrule a steadfast person and you will get your way for a little while, but afterwards you will face seven times more vexation” Proverbs 19:19. “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense,” Proverbs 19:11 says. When we look to Jesus and to the Bible for guidance on living a selfless and humble life, it becomes easier to practice patience and surrender, and to forgo our need for control — traits that will help us batten down our selfishness.
Encountering Others with Kindness
The Bible also speaks of kindness and respect for others as qualities we must practice if we want to cultivate humility. “Love is patient, love is kind,” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” These words speak directly to our tendencies towards self-absorption. By trying to bring joy to others, and by treating them with kindness and understanding, we can overcome our own selfish inclinations.
Developing a God Centric Life
The journey of life is arduous and revolves around our relationship with God — with whom humility, servitude and respect for others are of utmost importance if one wants to stay in His grace. In Colossians 3:1-3, Paul stresses that life is vapid without a connection to God: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” The Bible speaks of getting to know God and developing a relationship with Him as the best way to cultivate a life free of self-interest — a life marked by love and generosity.
