Selfishness, defined as the excessive or exclusive concern with oneself at the expense of others, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as contrary to the will and character of God. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the detrimental effects of selfishness on individuals, relationships, and communities.

Biblical Examples of Selfishness:

1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16): The account of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest examples of selfishness leading to dire consequences. Cain's jealousy and self-centeredness resulted in the murder of his brother Abel. God said to Cain, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7). Cain's inability to master his selfish desires led to his downfall and alienation from God.

2. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21): Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, who hoarded his wealth without regard for God or others. The man said to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" (Luke 12:19). However, God called him a fool, for his life was demanded of him that very night, illustrating the futility and short-sightedness of selfishness.

3. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property but deceitfully kept back part of the proceeds for themselves while pretending to donate the entire amount. Their selfishness and dishonesty led to their sudden deaths, serving as a stark warning to the early Christian community about the seriousness of selfishness and deceit.

Teachings Against Selfishness:

1. The Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39): Jesus emphasized love for God and love for neighbor as the greatest commandments. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). Selfishness is inherently opposed to these commandments, as it prioritizes self-interest over love and service to others.

2. The Example of Christ (Philippians 2:3-8): The apostle Paul exhorts believers to emulate Christ's humility and selflessness. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Christ's willingness to humble Himself and become obedient to death on a cross is the ultimate model of selflessness.

3. Warnings in Proverbs: The book of Proverbs contains numerous warnings about the consequences of selfishness. "A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper" (Proverbs 28:25). Selfishness often leads to conflict and discord, whereas trust in God and generosity lead to peace and prosperity.

Consequences of Selfishness:

1. Spiritual Separation: Selfishness can lead to a separation from God, as it is fundamentally opposed to His nature of love and self-giving. Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear" .

2. Broken Relationships: Selfishness often results in broken relationships, as it prioritizes personal gain over the well-being of others. James 4:1-2 highlights this, "What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it" .

3. Loss of Eternal Reward: The Bible warns that those who live selfishly may forfeit eternal rewards. Jesus taught, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). Selfishness, in seeking to preserve one's life and interests, ultimately leads to loss in the eternal perspective.

The Bible consistently portrays selfishness as a destructive force that undermines spiritual growth, community harmony, and eternal reward. Through its teachings and examples, Scripture calls believers to a life of selflessness, modeled after Christ, who exemplified perfect love and sacrifice.