Selfishness

One does not have to go too far to realize how opposite the world is compared to Jesus.  Just study the characteristics of Him.

• Jesus is full of love, the world is full of hate
• Jesus is merciful, the world has little compassion
• Jesus will forgive, the world is unforgiving
• Jesus shows humility, the world is very proud
• Jesus is a giver, man is a taker

Man says, “Take, take, take,” and God says, “Give,” and you don’t have to take anything, for “it shall be given unto you.”

This study is on the sin of selfishness. The Bible tells us that in the “last days” of the church, there will be “perilous times”. Not because of wars, bombs, and fighting, but because of SIN. For every sin listed in this following portion of God’s Word, selfishness is the root.

(2 Timothy 3:2-4), “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,”

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most often), how often do you try each day, to use your time, abilities, and finances to be a blessing to others, even if it is doing something “small” out of love and care?

You will be surprised how much more meaningful life is and how much more you look ahead for each new day, if you purpose in your heart to ask the Lord to use you, even in a small way, to be a blessing to someone, and expecting nothing in return.

The purpose of this lesson is to help you defeat the temptation of selfishness by following after the greatest example of what it means to put others first before you….to follow after the footsteps of Jesus.

The World’s Mentality Promotes Selfishness

“Dog eat dog”, out for “numeral uno,” magazines such as “Self” and “Moi (Me),” and books such as “Nice Guys Finish Last,” all contribute to man’s promotion of selfishness.

We are in a time when kindness, consideration, warmth, and concern are rapidly fading away.  Even our churches are being greatly affected. Look at the kindness, consideration, warmth, and concern the church had in the beginning as we compare it with the church today.

(Acts 2:41-47), “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Let us all do our part to recapture that love and concern for one another’s needs and allow the Lord to use us to be a blessing. Let’s fight selfishness by determining to be like the house of Stephanas;

(1 Corinthians 16:15), “I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

Wow… “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” These were a people that just wanted to constantly find ways for God to use them to be a blessing to their church family. They just wanted to find more, and more, and more ways to spend their lives on others!

Let us all ask ourselves this question, “How addicted am I really to the ministering to other believers? Do I constantly look for ways to be an encouragement or help to them?”

 If we are not, then what excuses are we allowing to cause us to become numb or selfish?

Am I Selfish?

• Has the world affected us to some degree?
• The problem with being selfish is that we become too selfish to admit it.
• Let’s take an honest look at ourselves in God’s Word: (1 Corinthians 13).

This is the chapter on charity. Some are confused on the meaning. Some say that charity means love, and some say it means giving.

(Charity is: a love that gives and expects nothing in return. It is a love that is totally against selfishness)

(1 Corinthians 13:1-2), “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

What these verses are saying is if we are selfish, in God’s sight we are nothing!

(1 Corinthians 13:3), “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

This verse is teaching us that our hearts could be very deceiving. We could be doing many good deeds, but what are our motives for doing them? Are we doing it for “selfish” reasons or are we doing it out of pure charity?

(1 Corinthians 13:4-5): Charity:

• Suffers long: Charity is patient and longsuffering. It keeps you going, whereas selfishness robs you of all patience.
• Is kind: (Because you are looking out for others).
• Does not Envy: When others are blessed by the Lord, instead of being jealous, and full of envy, you are excited and happy for them, and praise God for His goodness towards them. It also expresses that we are thankful, content and satisfied the way God has blessed us.
• Does not boast of itself and is not puffed up: Selfishness makes you think you are always right and the other guy is wrong, even when you do the same thing.

Selfishness causes you to think the following:

• When the other fellow acts worried, it’s lack of faith. When you do, it’s because you’re going through great trials.
• When others are set in their ways, they’re stubborn. When you are, it’s firmness.
• When someone tries to treat someone else especially well, they’re showing favoritism. When you do it, it’s thoughtfulness.
• When he takes time to do things well, he’s slow. When you do, you’re just being cautious and careful.
• When he spends a lot, he’s wasteful. When you do it, you’re generous.
• When he is mild-mannered, he let’s everyone walk all over him. When you are, it’s graciousness and kindness.

The greatest example we have, concerning this subject, is our Lord Jesus Christ. He created and is the heir of all things but allowed us to be joint heirs with Him!

(Romans 8:16-17), “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Jesus held nothing back from us that is rightfully His. Whatever is His, He has shared it with us!

Wow! What a great encouragement this is to follow after His example to give ourselves to others, as Jesus has given Himself to us.

Each day, try to think of a way you can be a blessing to one person.