Part 6: Selfishness

"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." James 3.16

I have to add this one in to the list. As I was studying 2 Timothy this word kept jumping out at me. It's closely related to greed, and therefore a perfect foothold for Satan. Selfishness is similar to greed, but where greed is the unquenchable thirst for wealth and possessions, selfishness seeks personal prestige, admiration and respect. And in many cases, selfishness is a greater temptation than greed.

Selfish in English is, "devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others: characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself"

The Greek word is eritheia and is translated at rivalry. It carries the idea of gathering a following to promote and support your views and ambitions. I think many times we use the word selfish incorrectly in place of greed today.

Where greed is focused on financial gain, selfishness is focused on popularity and self-advancement. It's the desire for influence and recognition. Selfishness does whatever it has to do in order to take care of itself. It spares no relationship, no dignity, it drives people apart, and Satan thrives in it, because Satan is selfish.

Philippians 2.3-4 says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." We are to do nothing selfishly, we are not to look out simply for ourselves, but for others. James told us that were selfish ambition is there is no unity and evil. Those are the things Satan strives for. Jesus said a kingdom divided cannot stand (Matthew 12.25), Satan is trying to divide the Kingdom of God by dividing His people. Satan tries to get us to look out for ourselves so that we're too busy to unite and advance God's Kingdom. But God's Kingdom cannot fall, and He wants His children to advance it, so He told us how to be unselfish.

Philippians 2.5-8, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Jesus came to earth to show us how God would live life as a human. He came to set an example for us to follow, to imitate. Jesus is the model of unselfishness. He gave up Heaven, and came to live on earth so that He could die a horrible death in our place. God, perfection, became sin and a curse for us to be free. Our response should be humility and gratitude, advancing the Kingdom out of love and thankfulness.

Satan wants us to be selfish, because in selfishness we isolate ourselves and advance ourselves over God. Selfishness is a foothold that Satan was the first one to take a hold of. He is the first selfish being that existed. Do we want to follow his example or the example of Christ?

Peace be with you