S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Selfishness is that attitude of being concerned with one's own interests above the interests of others. However, the Bible commands us to "do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with hum...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

D. M. Supporter Writer, Entrepreneur, IT Specialist

Selfishness is an attitude that builds on being self-centered. It takes away the room for humility, and even when exposed it does not bow down to the salvation present. It draws us to find comfort in self flattery, and to disregard what God expects of us. Cain's offering was not pleasing to God because it was all about himself, and he did not understand the will of God for the salvation of mankind. (Genesis 4) Selfishness keeps all the portion for itself even if it means depriving others of God given rights. 

For selfishness makes our faith fade away as doubt takes control of our relations to all things. We end up disregarding trust in God that he knows what we specifically need for each day, and then we craft selfish ways for our own survival. 

The rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-31, did not see how much it meant to be called for discipleship by Jesus Christ because of his selfish heart. He could not go past the idea of Christ's way of initiation, which was commanded to him. 
He chose, rather, to keep his possessions for himself, even if it meant walking away from Jesus, the Prince of peace. He did not allow a selfless spirit that could see others being blessed by his service to God even if it meant sacrificing all for others' happiness and welfare. 

Selfishness benumbs our sense of duty and cuts the channels to God's blessings.

April 03 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Prov 18:1: An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. (World English Bible)

Luke 11:39: The Master however said to him, "Here we see how you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup or plate, while your secret hearts are full of greed and selfishness. (Weymouth New Testament)

2 Cor 12:20: I am afraid that I may come and somehow find you not as I want to find you, and that you may find me not as you want to find me. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct. (International Standard Version, Amplified)

Gal 5:13: For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. (Amplified)

Phil 2:3: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (NASB, Amplified)

James 3:14: But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. (NET Bible)

James 3:16: For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. (NET Bible)

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Selfishness

You may have heard the story of two friends who met for dinner in a restaurant. Each requested filet of sole, and after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order. Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same platter. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend. Placing the small piece on a plate, he handed it across the table.

“Well, you certainly do have nerve!” exclaimed his friend.

“What’s troubling you?” asked the other. “Look what you’ve done,” he answered. “You’ve given me the little piece and kept the big one for yourself.”

“How would you have done it?” the man asked. His friend replied, “If I were serving, I would have given you the big piece.”

“Well,” replied the man, “I’ve got it, haven’t I?” At this, they both laughed. 

ODB --Our Daily Bread, August 11, 1992

April 07 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report