Although we know in our hearts that God doesn't like selfishness, admittedly, there are still moments where we fall short of this expectation. Sometimes, we feel like if we worked hard for something, that we have the right to be selfish about it. Or if we believe someone doesn't deserve it, we don't share with them. If you're starting to doubt yourself if you're becoming selfish recently, take a look at these bible verses to keep you grounded.
1. Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
In the words of God, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The Lord couldn't be any clearer than this. This is what unselfishness should be, that deep within your heart, you know that God blesses you more when you give to others. So if you feel like you're starting to become selfish or start counting what you're giving to others, reflect and remembers Acts 20:35.
2. James 1:1-2
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
You know what goes hand in hand with selfishness? It's jealousy. When you look at what others have and yearn to have those things, and then you get it, there's this feeling of holding on what you have without the need to share it with others. It's human nature, but this doesn't mean that you always have to cave in. In this verse, desires cause fights and quarrels. People desire what they don't have. The solution? Pray to God and ask for your desires, don't be jealous or selfish with what you have.
3. Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'
In Matthew 19:21, Jesus' instruction is clear – sell your possessions and give to the poor. Although it may not exactly mean to sell everything you have right now, what this means is that you can't be selfish of material things you have here on Earth, especially money. Money is material, it can be lost, stolen, and spent. If you keep holding on to money or is fixated on the idea of accumulating wealth, you will lose sight of what truly matters. According to Jesus, you must work on your treasures in heaven, which are things that can never be taken away from you.
4. Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Reading this verse reminds me of how people stay away from homeless people begging on the streets. While this doesn't mean that we are obliged to always give money or things to homeless people or the poor, you may want to ask yourself, "What have you got to lose if you give something to help a poor man out?" This verse tells you that you must always show kindness even to strangers, because you'll never know if these people are actually angels in disguise.
5. Hebrews 13:15-16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Aren't we all trying to please God every day? We may not always fulfill that goal, but we do our best. We do not impress the Lord with expensive cars and designer bags. God looks into our hearts. Are we faithful? Are we kind? Are we compassionate? Do we always share? You don't enter heaven because of the physical wealth you have on Earth, but you enter His kingdom through your selfless actions.
Selfishness is a bad habit to break. Selfishess corrupts the heart and when it takes over your heart, it's very hard to recover from it. It is important that you do not allow selfishness to take over you from the beginning. If you see any tinge of selfishness in you, it's time to take a step back. Read these verses to get you back on track. Remember, you please God when you share, so keep sharing and spreading God's love.
