Selfishness, the act of placing one's own needs and desires above those of others, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as contrary to the will and character of God. The Scriptures provide numerous insights and admonitions regarding selfish behavior, urging believers to pursue selflessness and love for others.

Old Testament References

1. Proverbs 18:1 : "He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment." This proverb highlights the folly of selfishness, suggesting that it leads to isolation and a rejection of wisdom.

2. Isaiah 56:11 : "They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each seeking his own gain." Here, the prophet Isaiah condemns leaders who are driven by selfish motives, illustrating the destructive nature of such behavior.

3. Ezekiel 34:2-3 : "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.'" This passage criticizes leaders who prioritize their own needs over the well-being of those they are meant to serve.

New Testament References

1. Philippians 2:3-4 : "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to reject selfish ambition and embrace humility, emphasizing the importance of considering others' needs.

2. James 3:14-16 : "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." James warns against the dangers of selfish ambition, associating it with disorder and evil.

3. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 : "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." Paul describes a time when selfishness will be rampant, listing it among other sinful behaviors that characterize the last days.

Teachings of Jesus

1. Matthew 16:24-25 : "Then Jesus told His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'" Jesus calls His followers to a life of self-denial, contrasting the pursuit of selfish desires with the call to discipleship.

2. Luke 9:23-24 : "Then Jesus said to all of them, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.'" This passage reiterates the call to self-denial, emphasizing the daily commitment required to follow Christ.

3. Mark 10:43-45 : "But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. 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." Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in serving others, contrasting the world's view of power with the selfless example of His own life.

The Bible consistently portrays selfishness as a barrier to spiritual growth and community harmony, urging believers to cultivate a spirit of humility and service. Through the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, followers of Christ are called to reject selfishness and embrace a life of love and selflessness.Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
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Numbers 32:6
And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brothers go to war, and shall you sit here?
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Psalm 38:11
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
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Proverbs 11:26
He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be on the head of him that sells it.
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Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
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Proverbs 24:11,12
If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death, and those that are ready to be slain;
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Proverbs 28:27
He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
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Ezekiel 34:18
Seems it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet?
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Micah 3:11
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean on the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come on us.
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Haggai 1:4,9,10
Is it time for you, O you, to dwell in your paneled houses, and this house lie waste?
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Zechariah 7:6
And when you did eat, and when you did drink, did not you eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
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Malachi 1:10
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on my altar for nothing. I have no pleasure in you, said the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
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Matthew 19:21,22
Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
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Luke 6:32-34
For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them.
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Romans 14:15
But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died.
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Romans 15:1-3
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
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1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
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2 Corinthians 5:15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.
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Galatians 6:2
Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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Philippians 2:4,20,21
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
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2 Timothy 3:2-4
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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James 2:15,16
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
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1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
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Concerning "Peace" and what is Meant by "Very Being" Itself, "Very ...
... Peace and of all Peace, both in general and in ... with confirmation drawn from the holy
testimony of the Scriptures. ... This is the basis of selfishness and so of ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xi concerning peace and.htm

Of Creation in General.
... attribute of God, but is the general nature of ... it is turned into that serpentine
selfishness, or crooked ... regenerated in the soul; so the scriptures say nothing ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of creation in general.htm

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of, 355-374. ...
Lotteries, 387. Louis XV., selfishness of, 280. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... 23), nor for ostentation or from selfishness, which the ... has much disputed from the
Scriptures against the ... We do not disapprove general or oecumenical councils ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... The general name of Christians, which was first assumed ... perpetual commentary on what
the Scriptures teach, concerning ... pride, to cure us of selfishness, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... his parents to read the Holy Scriptures, the necessity ... not be altered but by the
General Conference, on ... influence is felt it expels that selfishness which is ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

part ii.
... not found nor recognized in the Scriptures, the influence ... the most earnest and assiduous
care; while selfishness, such is ... As a general rule, that system, as to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part ii.htm

The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
... interfering in any manner with their own selfishness. ... of a practice of interpreting
the Scriptures in disregard ... when we are discussing general principles, or ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/the seventh chapter of the.htm

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
... of the flesh is condemned in the Holy Scriptures. ... surely, such negligence is undermining
the general health, and ... God will not punish you for your selfishness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xiv evil habits and.htm

The Catholic Epistles.
... on a level with the Old Testament Scriptures, and called ... once they became known,
any general doubt; and ... as well as doctrine; whose selfishness, sensuality, and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxi the catholic epistles.htm

What does the Bible say about selfishness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3)? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong for parents to select the gender of their children, such as through Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)? | GotQuestions.org

Selfishness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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