We live in a very selfish society, and it has changed very fast in just a few years. The prophet Ellen G. White said the last events shall be rapid ones. Things are changing so fast that people who do not have a daily connection with Jesus will be overcome. It is a sad fact, but it is true.
Many people think that living only for yourself and being selfish is the new trend — the new way to live. They will soon wake up to the reality that it will become a nightmare, because no selfish person can truly be happy or satisfied. We are only happy when we do good to others.
1. Selfishness in the Bible — King Ahab and Naboth’s Vineyard.
Naboth was living peacefully in his home. He had a beautiful vineyard from which he ate fruit and lived a tranquil life — until the king who lived next door decided he wanted that vineyard for himself. The king’s name was Ahab, and his wife’s name was the wicked Jezebel.
Selfishness in the Bible teaches us why we must develop strength in the power of God, because:
- You make people happy.
- You become satisfied through giving.
- You help society.
- You erase your defects of character.
Naboth’s Vineyard — 1 Kings 21:1-29
“Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to 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.
His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, ‘Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?’ He answered her, ‘Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, sell me your vineyard, or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place. But he said, I will not give you my vineyard.’ Jezebel his wife said, ‘Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.’
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. In those letters she wrote: ‘Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.’ So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, ‘Naboth has cursed both God and the king.’ So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: ‘Naboth has been stoned to death.’ As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, ‘Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.’
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ‘Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? Then say to him, This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood — yes, yours!’
Ahab said to Elijah, ‘So you have found me, my enemy!’ ‘I have found you,’ he answered, ‘because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. He says, I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel — slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused My anger and have caused Israel to sin.’
‘And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country.’ There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ‘Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.’”
King Ahab was selfish — he coveted what belonged to another person. This is two sins in one: coveting and stealing. On top of that, his wife Jezebel brought false witnesses, which is lying — and they had Naboth killed, which is murder. Once a person becomes selfish and thinks of himself too much, the path to destruction descends very rapidly. The first step is this:
Do not covet other people’s things.
King Ahab could have acquired many lands, houses, and properties — but he wanted this one specific vineyard next door. Because Naboth refused to give it to him, they sank so low as to murder Naboth to take what belonged to him. Selfishness in the Bible is shown to be a terrible thing, because the opposite of selfishness is to love others.
Do you see our society today? People are running faster and faster and are never satisfied. They are never happy. A selfish person is an unhappy person. When Naboth refused to give his vineyard, Jezebel arranged a feast where evil men falsely accused Naboth of cursing God and the king. Then they took Naboth outside the city and stoned him to death.
What a tragic story of evil people so selfish and proud that they are ready to destroy others to get what they want. Is our world not filled with people like this today? Later, the prophet Elijah delivered a courageous message to Ahab, telling him that his wife would die and that God would bring disaster upon his household.
2. Selfishness in the Bible — King Herod.
King Herod gave a speech. It was possibly a beautiful, sunny, hot day. The crowd waited in expectation for this remarkable address. Herod’s oratory was so impressive that the crowd declared: “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
At this, Herod became proud and accepted the adoration of the crowd. He accepted the worship that belongs to God alone. Herod must have thought to himself: “Yes, I am an amazing speaker and person, and I did it all myself — without God.”
Right away, God struck him dead. Examples of selfishness in the Bible are incredible to observe — how people can think so highly of themselves that they even forget that God is the one who gives them their power, wisdom, and wealth. This proves that selfishness is one of the worst sins, because Jesus taught that those who will make it to heaven must be the complete opposite — they must love others.
Selfishness in the Bible is not something you can overcome from within yourself, because all good deeds come from God. Since most people believe there is goodness within themselves already, they never do things that are truly pleasing to God.
Selfishness in the Bible teaches us that God made humans to love Him and to love others.
- Mark 12:30-31: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- John 15:12: “Love one another.”
- Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind one toward another, tenderhearted.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind.”
3. Selfishness in the Bible — King Nebuchadnezzar.
Here again we have the example of King Nebuchadnezzar, who took the glory for everything he had as though there were no God — as though a human being could succeed or receive anything without it being sent by God. This is pride and selfishness combined.
Selfishness in the Bible did not go well for Nebuchadnezzar, as God caused him to eat grass like an animal for seven years. Why did God do that? To teach him that all things — power, money, and glory — come from God alone.
Selfishness in the Bible is also seen in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to God in order to keep money for themselves. Instead of lying, they should have simply said, “We do not want to give all the money,” and the matter would have been settled. In this we see that it is better for someone not to call themselves a Christian than to claim the name and be a Christian in name only.
This selfishness in the Bible is closely connected to apathy — another grievous sin of the last days. Ananias and Sapphira were selfish. They wanted to keep the money, yet they said, “We will give it to God.” The Bible says: “Let every man give as he has purposed in his heart.” It is far better not to promise anything than to change your mind and then lie to God.
We see it begins with selfishness and continues with a lie. What a terrible curse this incredible sin is — a sin for which most humans are guilty, not only outside the church but inside it as well. Like many young people who say, “I am a Christian,” while God is saying, “Where is the fruit?”
Not only are you lying by calling yourself a Christian, but you are selfish, proud, and apathetic. The only thing that makes you a Christian is the name. Like Ananias and Sapphira, you are holding back the price of the house — and for this you will not enter heaven.
Revelation 21:8: “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.”
Only God can take away your corrupt nature and cleanse it with His righteousness.
4. Selfishness in the Bible — King David.
Can you imagine having hundreds of wives and still not being satisfied — and then wanting one more, who is already married to someone else? David saw Bathsheba bathing naked, and when someone told him she was a married woman, David proceeded anyway. Even for a person who has been alone for a long time, committing adultery is wrong. But for someone who already has hundreds of wives to take another man’s wife is the very definition of selfishness. It is like a child who already has many toys going to take another child’s toys.
Selfishness in the Bible shows us that the heart can become so selfish that it is never satisfied and always wants more. This is why when we give, we become satisfied, and God is able to make all grace abound toward us — for this is the true joy.
Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Our society, filled with selfishness, is heading toward disaster. Selfishness in the Bible is shown to be the path to hell. It very often goes hand in hand with pride and a dishonest heart.
5. Selfishness in the Bible — King Solomon.
Consider this example: being a king at that time — like King Ahasuerus — meant that if you did not like your wife, you could replace her very quickly. In fact, King Ahasuerus had hundreds of women brought before him every night until he chose Esther.
King Solomon could have done the same with Hebrew women. Why then did Solomon turn to pagan women? This is also selfishness. God had forbidden the taking of pagan women, and if you have the power to choose from among women of your own faith and people, there is no reason to pursue pagan women — unless the heart is selfish.
Here again we see the selfish heart of Solomon, who began as a humble and good king but ended in tyranny. Love is not selfish — yet Solomon became selfish. He lost his daily connection with God and began to feel important in himself. Even one thousand beautiful women were not enough.
The same principle applied to Adam and Eve. The reason Eve ate the fruit was selfishness — she was not satisfied and wanted more. It is not a sin to desire more. What is a sin is to take more at the expense of others.
Are you selfish? Are you apathetic? Are you lying to God by calling yourself a Christian while bearing none of the fruit of the Spirit? Why not repent now and ask God for forgiveness?
Repeat after me:
Father God, I see that I am selfish. I ask You, please take this from me. Help me to love others, to think of others, and to do things for others. Give me Your righteousness and help me walk every day with You, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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