Fruit of Selfishness
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. The Humbled and Exalted Christ
Selfishness is the quality or state of being selfish, it's the lack of consideration for other people. A selfish man will only think of himself alone without. It is the lack of empathy over others.
Selfishness is seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. It is putting one's goals, priorities and needs before everyone else even those who are really in need.
A very keen example of a selfish man is recorded in the book of 1kingss 21:1-19
1 Kings 21:1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
The incident in the above verse reveals the selfishness of King Ahab, He was the prominent ruler of the whole of Samaria who has many treasures at his commands, he has lands, gold, silver among others, yet he was not satisfied, he rather wish to have the vineyard of Naboth which was his only inheritance.
Naboth could not sell his vineyard simply because the land was part of the inheritance his family left behind for him. If he sold this inherited land, he could not buy from another person because others were under the same restriction not to sell the inheritance of their families.
Ahab knew this principle, but still wanted it. He arrogantly and selfishly thought of himself and not the family of Naboth. He thus pouted when he could not have that which he wanted. The fruit of his selfish desire brought about God's anger over him and his children
The same goes with King David who has the authority to take as many virgins as possible to be wife yet took Uriah's wife and slept with her... The only woman he has got in His life.. David's act of selfishness brought about death and war into his family.
James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
The result and fruit of selfish ambition, jealousy and envy is strife and division. It is recognised here as evil. Where selfish ambition exist, there will be jealousy and envy which will eventually leads to confusion and evil practices.
Your act of selfishness will birth hatred, evil plot and sometimes murder. Being selfish brings about lack of contentment and lack of peace in the heart, it is a sin before God.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
When there are those who seek either thier own glory or hidden agendas, there wil be disruptions, selfish ambition and conceit lead to seek one's end. In other to be a true disciple of Christ, one should be able to bear one another's burdens, doing good to all and not seeking one's self interest but the interest of everyone.
Stop being selfish, be rooted in the love of Christ which accommodates everyone without discrimination.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name
2. Lord, forgive me for being selfish in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to love everyone and never to be selfish in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.