Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8400 The tasks of the believer » 8481 self-sacrifice
The willingness to leave one's possessions or to give them to others; to deny oneself to the point of death or to give oneself in the service of God or other people.
Self-sacrifice as forfeiting one's present comfort for the sake of others
Ruth 2:11 See also Genesis 44:33-34; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:24-27
Self-sacrifice as giving one's possessions to others
Jesus Christ commends the willingness to give away one's possessions
Matthew 19:21 pp Mark 10:21 pp Luke 18:22 See also Luke 12:33
God rewards those who give their possessions away
Luke 18:28-30 pp Matthew 19:27-29 pp Mark 10:28-30
Sacrificing one's possessions as demonstrated in the life of the church
See also Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Self-sacrifice as leaving all and following Jesus Christ
Such sacrifice is a condition of discipleship
Luke 14:33 See also Matthew 10:37 pp Luke 14:26 This means loving Jesus Christ over and above one's immediate family.
Those willing to leave everything to follow Jesus Christ
Luke 5:27-28; Philippians 3:8
Self-sacrifice as the metaphorical laying down of one's life for others
Followers of Jesus Christ are required to give themselves in the service of others
John 12:24-25 See also Matthew 10:38 pp Luke 14:27; Matthew 16:24-25 pp Mark 8:34-35 pp Luke 9:23-24; Luke 17:33; 1 John 3:16-18
Examples of those who demonstrated such self-sacrifice
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 See also 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Corinthians 15:30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29; Corinthians 12:15
Self-sacrifice as the literal laying down of one's life
Jesus Christ warns his disciples to be prepared to give their lives
Matthew 10:21-22 pp Mark 13:12-13 pp Luke 21:16-17
Sacrificing one's life is of no value without love
See also 1 Corinthians 13:3
Examples of those willing to give their lives for the sake of God and others
Acts 20:23-24 See also Exodus 32:32; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; Esther 4:14-16; Matthew 26:39 pp Mark 14:35-36 pp Luke 22:42; Philippians 2:17
Examples of those who gave their lives in God's service
Acts 7:59-60 See also Judges 11:36-38; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 11:36-38; Revelation 20:4
See also
2570 Christ, suffering 8116 discipleship, cost 8120 following Christ 8342 servanthood 8356 unselfishness 8450 martyrdom 8475 self-denial
