Selfishness vs. Selflessness
As I was reading a post by a minister I follow on Facebook, the thoughts began to accumulate in my mind of the contrast between the two selfs…
Selfishness is defined as “devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.”
Selflessness is defined as “having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.”
It’s quite obvious as we view society today which one of the selfs is more predominant.
When my son, Josh, was a boy, and could still hear normally, he sang quite a bit. And a song he learned at an early age was “I Trouble”…me, myself and I trouble.
That’s been over 30 years ago, and it seems to be a more prevalent factor in people’s lives today than it was even then.
When I think of selfishness, I think of one of the first displays of it in the Bible, in the life of Cain.
Being the firstborn of Adam and Eve after their sin and expulsion from the garden of Eden, he no doubt felt the ‘entitlement’ syndrome even before such a term had been coined!
He was a tiller of the ground, a farmer much like his father, no doubt; unlike his younger brother, Abel, who was a keeper of the flocks. When they brought their offerings unto God, Cain offered his sacrifice from his fruit of the ground, a bloodless sacrifice, but Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice, a blood sacrifice, the firstborn of his flock.
Cain worshipped according to “sight” — according to what his own senses and wisdom dictated would be an honorable gift unto the Lord. His offering was rejected because it was offered according to his own presumption and not by faith. (How prevalent is this still today. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of faith. I could elaborate on this subject, but time won’t permit).
Abel, on the other hand, offered his sacrifice by faith, by hearing and obeying the word of God. It was Abel's offering that reflected the knowledge that only God can provide the way of forgiveness and healing. “For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” From the very beginning of time, that principle has been paramount in the eyes of God. Why else would He send His only begotten son into this sin cursed world to die a bloody death hanging from a cross? Jesus was the ultimate blood sacrifice for the atonement for the sins of all mankind.
When God received Abel’s blood sacrifice but not Cain’s fruit sacrifice, Cain became angry and vindictive. While they were working in the field, Cain rose up and killed his brother. And as sin would have it, when confronted by God when God asked him, “Where is your brother, Abel?”, Cain flippantly answered, “I don’t know…Am I my brother’s keeper?”
This was the beginning of the age old answer to most any who, what, when, where, how or why question…posed to humankind when guilt is prevalent—“I don’t know”. Selfishness is a sin within itself, because it’s always looking out for number one-I!
To the contrary, the greatest display of selflessness would have to be our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. His whole mission in life was to teach mankind the true meaning of selflessness.
The Bible paints many portraits of Jesus throughout its pages; from the Old Testament, when Isaiah penned the 53rd chapter, his prophetic description of Jesus gave a unique synopsis of not only the physical but the emotional, social and spiritual aspects of the coming King. Each attribute depicts the true meaning of the word selflessness.
Jesus Himself even repeatedly described Himself to His followers, showing the importance of not only knowing but living the selfless life. Matthew recorded explicitly on several occasions how Jesus viewed His mission, one such example in the 20th chapter verse 28, Jesus said of Himself, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” From His compassion for the lost, to showing the love He had for children, for physically and mentally ill individuals, denying Himself for the benefit of those who surrounded him day and night, His goal was to impart the true meaning of selflessness.
Selfishness says, “I will”…
Selflessness says, “I won’t”
Selfishness says, “I will be in control of my own life, my own choices, my own body, my own mind…
Selflessness says, “I won’t allow my life, my choices, my body, my mind to control who I am and who I become. But as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, the garden of decision in my estimation, “Not my will, but thine be done.” The epitome of selflessness is in total contrast to the selfish will of myself.
That’s why the rich young ruler walked away sorrowful; because when Jesus gave him an ultimatum to what the true meaning to life was, he couldn’t and wouldn’t exchange his selfish lifestyle for one of selflessness. I personally doubt Jesus would’ve required the ruler to literally give away all that he possessed, had he been w i l l i n g to part with his worldly goods. See, the test was in the will, and the rich young ruler failed the test because of his selfishness.
The same principle applies today. What are we willing to do? Lay aside our selfishness, and follow after the will of God through selflessness, or cling to our selfishness and follow after our own will, which will ultimately lead to our destruction.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
On this Easter Sunday, as we have set aside yearly to commemorate the glorious resurrection of Jesus,
may we be reminded of the daily effects which His life, death, resurrection, ascension and coming again will have upon our lives, if we choose to follow Him!
D. S. Mullis
.April 21, 2019
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Romans 12:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Hebrews 9: 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
We only are responsible for our personal lives. God will be the ultimate judge, and His day of reckoning will be the final word for eternity. They’re receiving their rewards now.
I don’t follow any of them.
Thank you for your review.
Ron