Selfishness or Self-interest?

Jeremiah tells us that the fallen human heart is deceitful above all else (17:9).  This is not so much a statement about deceptions employed to trick someone else, but the deceptions embraced to trick one’s own self.  If you are going to pursue sin you have to convince yourself it really is a good move.  Watching someone try to justify his sin is a painfully sad thing to witness, but it is an everyday occurrence.  Such convincing is insanity, and this is why Jeremiah tells us the human heart takes the top spot when it comes to deception. 

One of the places where self-deception is most prevalent is in the oft-blurred distinction of selfishness verses self-interest.  If we can make this distinction clear then we have a helpful weapon for combating our own deceptive hearts. 

Since we all have a fairly good grasp of selfishness, let’s think about self-interest.  As the term indicates, there is an interest that we all have in what is good for ourselves.  This is natural, right, and God-given.  All of us care for ourselves.  The bible says, “for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it” (Ephesians 5:29).  I believe this is what Jesus was meaning when he said “love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39).  We all do this all the time.  Even those who hurt themselves, do it for reasons they think will do something positive eventually.

The problem is when our interests get sinfully warped.  When our interests turn inward and our own desires and preservation become priority, our self-interest becomes selfishness.  This does not have to happen though.  If our interest in our bodies and our lives are shaped and directed by a goal outside of ourselves, then our self-interest is for the purpose of whatever that cause is. 

We need to have self-interest about the food we eat, the health we maintain, the education we receive, the company we keep, the entertainment we allow in, the hobbies we enjoy.  Why?  Because all of this shapes the person we are and the usefulness we can be.  If selfishness begins to take over, then we are our own end-game and the lust of the hour will often hold sway over our decisions. But if we are seeking first the kingdom of God and the eternal good of people, then our self-interest is shaped by those end-games.  We will want to be fit and healthy so we can serve the needs of others.  We will want to get an education driven by a biblical worldview so that we know we are seeing the world through the ultimate authority of the one who created the world.  We will want to keep company with the people of God and not forsake assembling together with them because they are the ones who will teach, exhort, and bear burdens with us.  We will want to be wary of the entertainment we absorb knowing that worldliness and impurity slips in under cover of creative, funny, and well-made mediums.  We will want hobbies to be an enjoyable refresher, not a compelling and time-consuming pursuit. 

So how can you know when your deceptive heart is trying to turn your good self-interest into selfishness?  This is difficult because sometimes there is no difference between the two in terms of a particular action, only in the end-game.  A selfish person will eat an apple and a righteously self-interested person will eat an apple.  It all looks the same.  But the difference is in what is driving the action.  The selfish person eats it because he wants the awesome body, or to avoid death, or maybe he just likes the flavor of apples.  The self-interested person eats the apple because he wants a healthy body that can serve others.  Perhaps he is also eating it because he too likes the flavor of apples.  But the self-interested person doesn’t stop with just enjoying an apple.  His heart is turned to praise to God for gifts of such wonderful tastes.  He does not fall short of the glory of God.  The apple carries him into worship so that “whatever you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I still haven’t answered the question.  How can you know when your deceptive heart is trying to turn your good self-interest into selfishness? This is oh so difficult since selfishness and good self-interest can look so similar in so many situations.  You have to ask yourself when and where you are sacrificially serving others.  All the good things mentioned above are on the table for possible sacrifice.  They may be sacrificed, not because they are bad, but because they were only being pursued for the good of others and the glory of God.  If the good of others and the glory of God means I need to give up my food or my health or my hobbies, then so be it.  The gospel and the good of others is why I was doing them anyway.

So you have to ask yourself, “In what ways is the gospel and serving others more important than my plans and my comfort?”  Selfishness is being combatted and put to death when humble and sacrificial love begins to put others first.  Deceptions can creep in even here.  Many a pastor has given his life to serve the church, all while really serving his own selfish desire of a respected reputation.  Look for a man who wants others to succeed and who is willing to be eclipsed.  Ask yourself if you are willing to lose time, money, and respect for the sake of the gospel and the good of others.  Can you identify times when the gospel and love cost you something and you were joyful for one reason: the gospel was advancing and people were hearing the truth.  You need to strive for this in the mundane moments so that when it really counts you can have confidence that you are pursuing first the kingdom with a pure heart motive. 

Discerning between righteous and God-centered self-interest and sinful selfishness is hard work.  Therefore, let me end with this ever-needful warning from Proverbs.  Proverbs 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”