Do Not Take Selfishness Lightly

Human beings by nature have a selfish. We tend to think about ourselves, our own interests, and everything centered on ‘me.’ Yet selfishness—especially when it becomes excessive, which is called egotism—must not be considered normal or trivial, because it can have harmful effects later on.

Below we can see the selfish behavior of three Bible figures, namely Lot, Judas, and Solomon.

Lot: A selfish nature brings destruction to ourselves and to the people we love (Genesis 13:1-13, Genesis 19:1-29)

When God called him to leave his land, Abraham (then still named Abram) took along his nephew Lot (Genesis 12:5). In the Negeb, to avoid strife between their herdsmen, Abraham and Lot separated. Abraham gave Lot the right to choose his direction first.

Lot chose the Jordan Valley and camped near Sodom. Yet he knew the people of Sodom were known to be wicked and sinful against God. Lot paid no attention to his family’s safety because he saw only that the fertility of the Jordan Valley could increase his livestock. Its potential to make him very rich.

When war broke out, Lot and his family were taken captive for a time and were rescued by Abraham. Yet Lot did not learn his lesson and still returned to Sodom.

Even when the men of Sodom came to his house to commit a shameful act against his two guests, Lot instead offered up his two daughters (Genesis 19:8). Imagine how bitter Lot’s two daughters and his future sons-in-law must have felt. That is why when Lot told them about Sodom’s destruction, they thought he was only joking.

In the end, all of Lot’s wealth was consumed by fire and sulfur. He had nothing left, and even lost his wife, who became a pillar of salt.

By letting a selfish attitude rule us, we destroy ourselves and the people we love. Our story could end like Lot’s. The possessions we gather vanish; so can our family.

If you love your family and those closest to you, set aside your ego when making decisions. Consider what impact your actions will have on their lives, and remember: For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. – James 3:16

Judas: A selfish attitude hardens the heart and kills the truth (Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 27:3-5)

Judas was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples who accompanied Him throughout His three-year ministry, and he even served as the treasurer (John 13:29).

Yet even after personally witnessing many miracles Jesus performed—from healing the sick to raising the dead—Judas was willing to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. Selfishness made Judas reject the truth he had received.

Regret came later, and his life ended tragically. After realizing his mistake, Judas punished himself by taking his own life.

Then he threw the silver into the temple, left, and went away and hanged himself. – Matthew 27:5

When you care more about your work, status, achievements, feelings, needs, and dreams than about loving God and your family, be careful. You are hardening your heart and setting truth aside from your life. A selfish nature can dull the heart and close the eyes of the soul. The truth we receive from God’s word, knowledge, experience, and even our status as disciples becomes futile. We bear no fruit in the Lord.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure; who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

Solomon: A selfish attitude makes us double-minded (1 Kings 11:1-13)

He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away from the LORD. – 1 Kings 11:3

King Solomon was famous for his extraordinary wisdom; it was even said that there would never be another like him (1 Kings 3:12). Sadly, all of Solomon’s knowledge and wisdom proved unable to withstand his selfish impulses.

Solomon had thousands of wives to satisfy his own desires and personal pleasure without caring about the consequences. In his old age, Solomon even became unfaithful to God by worshiping the gods his wives worshiped (1 Kings 11:4). His kingdom was split apart; his children did not love God and worshiped other gods.

When you are selfish, your heart will drift away from God. But when you care about the interests of many, you not only save your own life, but also bring salvation to others (1 Corinthians 10:33).

What happened to the three figures above is only part of the many stories of selfish behavior that never brings good—just as happened to Cain, Saul, and Haman. So let us take serious steps to change our selfish nature. Let us humble ourselves and reduce our self-centeredness, because that is what pleases the Lord.

“Rather, in humility regard others as more important than yourselves; and let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3b-4

* Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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