The Impact of Selfishness

• James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
• Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
• Romans 2:8 – “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
• 2 Timothy 3:2 – “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:5 – “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
• Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.”
• Philippians 1:17 – “The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.”
• James 4:1-3 – “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 cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
• Romans 15:1-3 – “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:24 – “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

Overcoming Selfishness

• Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
• Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
• Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
• 1 John 3:17 – “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
• Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
• Matthew 20:26-28 – “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
• Ephesians 4:2 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
• Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
• 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.’”
• 1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

Warnings Against Selfishness

• Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
• 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
• Titus 3:3 – “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”
• Proverbs 18:1 – “An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.”
• Matthew 23:25 – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
• Proverbs 28:25 – “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:4 – “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
• Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
• Proverbs 21:26 – “All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
• Proverbs 29:7 – “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

Selfishness and Its Consequences

• Ephesians 5:5 – “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
• James 4:2 – “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.”
• 2 Peter 2:10 – “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings.”
• Proverbs 1:19 – “Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.”
• Jeremiah 6:13 – “‘From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.'”
• Proverbs 15:27 – “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
• Micah 2:2 – “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance.”
• Proverbs 22:16 – “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.”
• Habakkuk 2:9 – “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!”
• Proverbs 23:4 – “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.”

The Contrast Between Selfishness and Generosity

• 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
• Proverbs 11:24 – “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
• Luke 6:30 – “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
• Proverbs 11:26 – “People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.”
• Acts 2:45 – “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
• Proverbs 22:9 – “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
• Luke 14:12-14 – “Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'”
• Matthew 10:8 – “Freely you have received; freely give.”
• Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
• Proverbs 14:21 – “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”

Personal Growth by Avoiding Selfishness

• 1 Corinthians 10:33 – “Even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
• Philippians 2:21 – “For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
• John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
• Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
• Philippians 2:7-8 – “Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
• Matthew 5:42 – “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
• Luke 9:23 – “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'”
• Matthew 23:11 – “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
• Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

The Rewards of Avoiding Selfishness

• Matthew 6:1-4 – “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
• Proverbs 11:18 – “The wicked earn deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
• Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
• Matthew 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
• Matthew 5:7 – “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
• Luke 14:13-14 – “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
• Matthew 10:42 – “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
• 1 Peter 4:8-10 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
• Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
• Hebrews 6:10 – “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Societal Effects of Selfishness vs. Selflessness

• 1 John 3:16 – “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
• Proverbs 29:14 – “If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.”
• Hebrews 13:1-2 – “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
• Acts 4:32-35 – “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”
• Proverbs 21:13 – “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”
• James 2:15-17 – “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
• Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
• Matthew 25:35-40 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
• Proverbs 22:22-23 – “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.”
• Proverbs 19:22 – “What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.”

Spiritual Insight on Selfishness

• Galatians 6:8 – “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:3 – “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?”
• James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
• Romans 7:18-19 – “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I want to do good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
• 1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
• Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
• Titus 2:12 – “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
• 2 Timothy 2:22 – “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Biblical Examples of Selfishness

• Genesis 13:10-11 – “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.”
• 1 Kings 21:1-4 – “Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, ‘Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.’ But Naboth replied, ‘The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.’ So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, ‘I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.’ He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.”
• Esther 3:5-6 – “When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.”
• Acts 5:1-5 – “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.”
• Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
• Acts 5:6-10 – “Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”
• Proverbs 13:10 – “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
• Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
• Job 5:2 – “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.”

Rejecting Selfishness Through Faith

• Galatians 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
• Philippians 4:12-13 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
• 2 Peter 1:4 – “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
• Romans 8:5 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
• Luke 12:33-34 – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• Titus 3:14 – “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”
• James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
• 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
• Romans 13:14 – “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Selfishness in Relationships

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
• Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
• Proverbs 17:19 – “Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.”
• James 3:14-16 – “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
• Colossians 3:12-14 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
• 1 Corinthians 7:33-34 – “But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.”
• Ephesians 5:21 – “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
• Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

Wisdom and Selfishness

• Proverbs 16:19 – “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”
• James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
• Proverbs 28:26 – “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

Conclusion

These 120 Bible verses about selfishness teach us the value of generosity and empathy. By aligning with God’s teachings, we can grow in love and kindness. Let these Scriptures guide us to build meaningful relationships and a more fulfilling life. Embrace their wisdom and let it transform your heart and actions.