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Selfishness

/SEL-fish-ness/

Summary

An inordinate self-love that prompts one to disregard the rights and feelings of others for personal gratification or advantage, fundamentally opposed to the biblical command to love one's neighbor.

☩Definition

Selfishness is an inordinate self-love prompting one, for the sake of personal gratification or advantage, to disregard the rights or feelings of others. It is essentially a negative quality—failing to consider what is due to one's neighbors through a deficiency of justice or benevolence. Scripture commands respect for the rights and feelings of others and forbids encroachment upon them.

Key verses:Philippians 2:41 Corinthians 10:24

☩Biblical Warnings

Genesis records Cain's selfish disregard for his brother Abel. The tribes of Reuben and Gad showed selfishness in seeking their inheritance east of Jordan without concern for their brethren's battles. The Proverbs warn that the selfish soul brings trouble upon itself, while those who give to the poor will not lack. Jesus taught that only those who give up natural selfishness can find true life—'whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.'

Key verses:Genesis 4:9Numbers 32:6Proverbs 11:26Proverbs 28:27Matthew 16:25

☩The Christian Alternative

Paul exhorted believers not to look only to their own interests but also to the interests of others, following Christ's example of self-emptying service. Christians are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. The love of Christ should constrain believers to live not for themselves but for Him who died and rose for them.

Key verses:Philippians 2:4-8Galatians 6:22 Corinthians 5:15

Related Verses25 mentions

Proverbs· 3 verses

11:2618:1728:27

Haggai· 3 verses

1:41:91:10

Philippians· 3 verses

2:42:202:21

Matthew· 2 verses

19:2119:22

See Also

Liberality
Liberality
Poor
Poor
Self Exaltation
Self Exaltation
Unselfishness
Unselfishness

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Selfishness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Selfishness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Selfishness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Selfishness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Selfishness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  6. 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Selfishness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  7. 7.James Hastings (ed.), "Selfishness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  8. 8.James Hastings (ed.), "Selfishness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).