Topics

Selfishness

Selfishness is the sinful pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others and God, contrary to the Christ-centered life of sacrificial love. Scripture calls believers to put others' interests ahead of their own as a reflection of the gospel.

Overview

Selfishness stems from our fallen nature and represents a fundamental rejection of God's design for human relationships. The Bible consistently presents selfishness as destructive to community, harmful to the vulnerable, and opposed to the character of Christ. True believers are called to a radical reorientation of priorities toward others' welfare.

Key Scriptures

"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor" (1 Corinthians 10:24, ESV).

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4, ESV).

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39, ESV).

"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive" (2 Timothy 3:2, ESV).

Application

Examine your daily decisions—do your choices reflect self-protection or genuine concern for others' spiritual and material wellbeing?

Scripture References 40
Full Topical Reference List 97 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Being lovers of ourselves

Characteristic of the last days

Especially forbidden to saints

God hates

Inconsistent with Christian love

James and John

Living to ourselves

Multitude

Neglect of the poor

Performing duty for reward

Pleasing ourselves

Saints falsely accused of

Seeking after gain

Seeking undue precedence

Serving God for reward

The example of Christ condemns

The love of Christ should constrain us to avoid