Why is selfishness so destructive?

Genesis 13:8-11Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

Genesis 27:35-37, 41Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau exclaimed, “No wonder his name is Jacob, for now he has cheated me twice. First he took my rights as the firstborn, and now he has stolen my blessing. Oh, haven’t you saved even one blessing for me?” Isaac said to Esau, “I have made Jacob your master and have declared that all his brothers will be his servants. I have guaranteed him an abundance of grain and wine—what is left for me to give you, my son?” . . . From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.”

Selfishness can destroy relationships and tear families apart. In the case of Lot and Abram, the selfish choice also placed Lot and his family in mortal danger. They moved in among people who would soon experience God’s terrible judgment. In the case of Jacob and Esau, both brothers treated each other with selfishness that led to years of resentment and fear before an eventual reconciliation.

Acts 8:18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.

Selfish ambition can cause us to do almost anything for personal gain. Simon’s story reveals he wasn’t nearly as interested in having the Holy Spirit as he was in having the power to control the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 12:20I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

James 3:15Jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

Selfishness is not compatible with God’s purpose for us. The selfishness motto is: What’s in this for me? God wants us to mature to the point that we gladly put him and the needs of others first.