Selfishness is how
defined by Webster?
"That supreme self-love or self-preference which leads a person to direct
his purposes to the advancement of his own interest, power, or happiness,
without regarding those of others."
What specific
commandments forbids this sin?
"Thou shalt not covet." Ex. 20: 17.
Selfishness, then, is
contrary to what law?
"If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well." James 2:8.
How does it show itself
in the conduct of an individual?
(1) As Lovers of Self. "For men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous." 2 Tim. 3:2.
(2) As Pleasing Ourselves. "We then that are strong ought to bear
the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." Rom.
15:1.
(3) As Seeking Our Own. "Even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be
saved." 1 Cor. 10:33.
(4) As seeking after Gain. "Yea, they are greedy dogs which can
never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look
to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter." Isa. 56:11.
(5) As Seeking Undue Precedence. "Grant that these my two sons may
sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."
Matt. 20:21.
(6) As Neglect of the Poor. "But whoso hath this world's good, and
seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 1 John 3:17.
(7) As Performing Duty for Reward. "The heads thereof judge for
reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine
for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us?
none evil can come upon us." Micah 3:11.
Show that selfishness is
inconsistent with the communion of saints.
"There should be no schism in the body, but that the members should
have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the
members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with
it." 1
Cor.
12:25, 26.
Prove that it is contrary
to Christian charity, or love.
"Charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil." 1 Cor. 13:4, 5.
How are we admonished
with regard to selfishness?
"Let no man seek his own." 1 Cor. 10:24. "Look not every man
on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Phil. 2:4.
(Read also Zech. 7:9, 10).
By what means may we
overcome selfishness?
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if
one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which
live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for
them, and rose again." 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.
How prevalent is this
sin?
"For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."
Phil. 2:21.
What among other things
will help to make the last days a perilous time?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous." etc. 2 Tim. 3:1,
2.
Can we be followers of
Christ without overcoming selfishness?
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me." Matt. 16:24.
Show that Christ
condemned selfishness by His example.
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was
rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be
rich." 2 Cor. 8:9. "For even Christ pleased not Himself." Rom.
15:3.
What should this lead us
to do?
"Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to
edification." Rom. 15:2.
What example has the
apostle Paul given us in this respect?
"Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit,
but the profit of many, that they may be saved." 1 Cor. 10:33 (1 Cor.
9:19-23).
Give some Bible examples
of selfishness.
Cain (Gen. 4:9); Nabal (1 Sam. 25:3, 11 ); Haman (Esther); princes (Isa.
1:23); priests (Isa. 56:10, 11); James and John (Mark 10:35-37); the multitude
(John 6:24-26).
What is the condition,
and what will be the final punishment, of those who continue to be governed by
selfishness?
"Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily
after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding
themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds;
trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom
is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Jude 11-13.
