41 Bible Verses about Selfishness
Most Relevant Verses
Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
A man, having separated himself, seeks his own desire, and rages against all sound wisdom.
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Among whom also we all had our behavior in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
But those tenants said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
And one of the crowd said unto him, Teacher, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.read more.
And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room to store my crops? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have prepared? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
And seek you great things for yourself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring disaster upon all flesh, says the LORD: but your life will I give unto you for a prize in all places where you go.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies,
But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
And they said, Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you came unto Zoar. Then Lot chose all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD; Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are a man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God: Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from you: With your wisdom and with your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasuries:read more.
By your great wisdom and by your trade have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches:
As I live, says the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Teacher, we would that you should do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not a thing to be grasped to be equal with God:read more.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer serve sin.
That you put off concerning the former way of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
As every man has received a gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
From Thematic Bible
Inconsistency » General marks of » Selfishness
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; yet you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
Religion » Inconsistency in religious life general marks of » Selfishness
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; yet you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
Selfishness » Different forms of » Total disregard of the rights of others
Seems it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but must you tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but must you foul the rest with your feet?
Israel is an empty vine, he brings forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he has increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increases that which is not his! how long? and to him that loads himself with many pledges!
And when you did eat, and when you did drink, did not you eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
Selfishness » Examples of » Cain's cold-blooded words concerning abel
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: therefore Israel turned away from him.
And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread unto your army?
Selfishness » Examples of » The priest and levite carelessly pass by the wounded man
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; yet you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Selfishness » Different forms of » Heartless indifference toward sinners
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that.
Selfishness » Ministers should be devoid of
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
For though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law of Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. read more.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Selfishness » The example of Christ condemns
Jesus said unto them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.
Selfishness » Contrary to the law of God
If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well:
And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Selfishness » Examples of » Haman's selfish conceit
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Yea, they are greedy dogs who can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his own quarter.
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking our own
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Selfishness » Inconsistent with communion of saints
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. read more.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him. And if they were all one member, where would be the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our less respectable parts have greater respect. For our more respectable parts have no need: but God has arranged the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Selfishness » Especially forbidden to saints
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Selfishness » All men addicted to
Among whom also we all had our behavior in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Selfishness » Different forms of » Hoarding foodstuff
He that withholds grain, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.
Deliver those that are drawn toward death, hold back those that are stumbling to the slaughter;
Selfishness » Exemplified » Nabal
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was surly and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not from where they be?
Selfishness » The love of Christ should constrain us to avoid
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Living to ourselves
And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
Selfishness » Inconsistent with » Christian love
Does not behave itself rudely, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, keeps no record of evil;
Selfishness » Characteristic of the last days
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Selfishness » Examples of » Nabal refuses food to david
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not from where they be?
Selfishness » Different forms of » Neglect of the needy and suffering
I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Being lovers of ourselves
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking undue precedence
And he said unto her, What will you? She said unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.
Selfishness » Exemplified » Jews
And when you did eat, and when you did drink, did not you eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Serving God for reward
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on my altar for nothing. I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking after gain
Yea, they are greedy dogs who can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his own quarter.
Selfishness » God hates
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on my altar for nothing. I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Neglect of the poor
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Pleasing ourselves
We then that are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Selfishness » Exemplified » Cain
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Selfishness » Different forms of » Greed for real estate
Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may dwell alone in the midst of the earth!
Selfishness » Exhibited in » Performing duty for reward
Her heads judge for reward, and her priests teach for hire, and her prophets divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.
Selfishness » Exemplified » James and john
They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory.
Selfishness » Exemplified » Haman
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?
Selfishness » Examples of » James and john seek the best places
They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory.
Selfishness » Saints falsely accused of
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have not you made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.
Topics on Selfishness
Selfishness, Examples Of
Genesis 4:9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Selfishness, Shown In
2 Timothy 3:2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Social Selfishness
Proverbs 11:26He that withholds grain, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.