What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Selfishness?

The Bible confronts selfishness by calling us to look beyond our own interests to the good of others, following the example of Christ, who put us before himself. It warns that selfish ambition breeds strife and that love does not seek its own, pointing us toward a life poured out rather than hoarded.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on selfishness, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.Philippians 2:4 (KJV)

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition, but in lowliness esteem others better.

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

Charity seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.James 3:16 (KJV)

Where envying and self-seeking is, there is confusion and every evil work.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Romans 15:1 (KJV)

We ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.Mark 8:35 (KJV)

Whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses it for Christ shall save it.

What this means for you today

Selfishness is the default pull of the human heart, always circling back to me first. Scripture does not shame us for having needs but calls us out of a life curved in on itself and into love.

The paradox Jesus teaches is that the self-focused life shrinks, while the life poured out for others grows. We find ourselves not by grasping but by giving, following the One who gave everything.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus, who deserved everything, emptied himself for us; his self-giving love is both the cure for our selfishness and the power to overcome it.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: Integrity · Compassion · Gentleness · Meekness · Complaining · All topics