“Selfishness or Selfish less”

In the Lords work there is no room for selfishness. In my daily walk and studies I have found that you must set aside your own wants and desires for the interest of others in need. It doesn’t matter what that need is, whether it is prayer, physical or financial help.


Psalm 119:36 (KJV) 36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

James 3:16-17 (KJV) 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Most of the sins we commit have somewhere down deep underneath too great a concern for ourselves and too little concern for others. In the teachings of Christ we come to the very root of this matter of selfishness. A good example of this is when Jesus speaks. Do you remember in the Bible the story of the rich young ruler: “And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me, good? None is good save one, even God. Thou knowest the commandments, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.” (Mark 10:17-22).

This ruler loved his material possessions more than he loved the possibility of being eternally saved. That is self-centeredness of a kind which is very common in our world today. How many of you would go and sell everything to know that you one day would have a home in Heaven beside God? That’s a difficult question for most all of us; we have fear of the unknown.

Selfishness is the way of the world. The world’s way is dog eat dog, the strong overpower the weak. Christ taught his disciples to turn the other cheek. He was willing to be crucified rather than destroy his enemies even though he could have called twelve legions of angels to do so. It wasn’t Christ’s way. Look at those people who crucified him. Look at his enemies. They selfishly killed him to get him out of their way. For the moment they won the battle, but it was only for the moment. As time has come and gone it has become ever more obvious that Christ really won the hearts of the people. His is the permanent victory. Selfishness never makes friends. Selfishness never brings happiness. When Jesus came into the world unselfishly to give himself for man he was demonstrating that the best way is the selfless way of serving others. Love one another. Christ still demands, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

My friends this is a selfless act. He gave it all for us, what a mighty God we serve.

When was the last time you stepped out of this act and reached out to someone, maybe giving up a day off of resting, to go do something nice for someone else? Let me tell you, what a feeling of pure joy in your heart you will receive. Selfishness leads us to do whatever it takes to look out for number one—even if it means lying to God. We will lie, pout, manipulate someone, distort the truth—anything to get our own way. God doesn’t honor a life like that. It doesn’t please him. Because when He comes into our lives He radically changes our hearts where there is a love for people and a lesser love for things.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (KJV) 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 There was no tomb that could keep Him, for HE WOULD RISE from the dead, His selfless act gives us hope for eternal salvation, for on that cross He showed the most selfless act there is, and that is giving His life for us.


The definition of selfishness is acting or thinking of one’s own well-being alone. The opposite of selfishness is “JESUS CHRIST”.

As Jesus said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

If you feel you are ready to accept Christ into your life you can do so right now by telling God you are sorry for your past mistakes, putting your trust in Him and asking Him to make you into the person He created you to be. It is as simple as saying this short prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open my heart to receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Lord please take control of my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. Lord please take the selfishness out of me and help me to follow you and give willingly to others. I ask this all in Jesus Christ name. Amen!