Today’s Verse—Galatians 5:13–14
Don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live in sin. Instead,
serve one another in love. The whole law can be found in a
single command. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Ananias and Sapphira were selfish with their money (Acts 5). Cain killed his own brother out of jealousy and then claimed that he shouldn’t have to “look after my brother” (Genesis 4). Ahab killed a man because he wanted the man’s vineyard (1 Kings 21). David killed Uriah because he wanted Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11). James and John wanted to be Jesus’ favorite disciples (Mark 10). Satan wanted to be God (Isaiah 14).
The Bible is full of examples of people being selfish, greedy, and prideful. Philippians 2:3 says, “Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be free of pride. Think of others as better than yourselves.” In fact, almost every sin that you could think of is a result of thinking of yourself more than others.
The consequences are pretty harsh too. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead after they lied about their selfishness. Cain had to walk the earth as a marked man the rest of his life. Ahab’s family was cursed for generations. David’s rule as king floundered after he murdered Uriah. Jesus scolded James and John for requesting to be considered the greatest disciples. Satan, who was at one time an angel, was kicked out of heaven and forced to reign in hell.
Selfishness is so easy because the world tells us to be selfish. Commercials say, “Do something for yourself.” TV encourages us to do what feels good to us, even if it hurts other people. Greed is normal. Envy is natural. Revenge is sweet. But none of these things are what God teaches.
Loquacious Learning with Eugene
More than any other subject, Jesus talked about the sin of self-righteousness and greed. He often harshly scolded the Pharisees for sticking up their noses, to borrow the colloquialism, and believing they were better than others. His angriest moment was when moneychangers turned the temple into a house of greed. Personally, I believe Jesus taught on the subject so much because He knew that selfishness leads to so many other sins.
There was a TV cartoon in the 1970s called The Most Important Person. The theme song went like this: “The most important person in the whole wide world is you, you, you!” What kind of a message is that? The most important person is you? That’s not what God says. He wants us to think of others before ourselves. He wants us to sacrifice our own time, money, and energy to help others. He wants us to love our neighbors. He wants us to be unselfish. It’s the key to joy, good friendships, and a better relationship with God.
Daily Challenge
Make an effort to be particularly unselfish today. Find someone to bless by giving them something, or helping them or sacrificing your time or energy to make them happy.
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Overcoming Sin Theme Memory Verse—Romans 3:23–24
Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.