What does the Bible say about selfishness?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible warns that selfishness springs from sinful desires and stands opposed to the love, humility, and service to which God calls His people. Philippians 2:3-4 urges believers to count others more significant than themselves, following Christ’s self-giving pattern rather than pursuing personal advantage. James 3:16 and 4:1-2 show that selfish ambition produces disorder, envy, conflict, and sinful cravings. Love, by contrast, does not insist on its own way, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 teaches. Christians are therefore called to seek their neighbor’s good, bear one another’s burdens, and use their possessions with compassion, trusting that the Spirit works this humble love in those united to Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Philippians 2:4

    each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

  • 2 Timothy 3:2-4

    [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

  • 1 John 3:17

    But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:24

    Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.

  • Philippians 2:3-4

    [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

  • James 3:16

    For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

  • Philippians 2:21

    For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

  • Galatians 6:2

    Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

  • James 4:1-2

    [1] Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members? [2] You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.

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