Is selfishness a sin?

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society,
I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims).

I feel numb.
Every news I read is all about bad things in the world.
I feel nothing, feel no compassion.

Am I a selfish person?
I must be a bad Christian.
Sigh.

 

[returntosender]

Most of us have low times. Have you seen a doc about depression. Is this feeling new?
God bless you and lift you up.

 

[angelsaroundme]

I think truly selfish people don't worry about being selfish. Like you said, you are feeling numb, and that's understandable with how overwhelming and emotionally exhausting the world can be sometimes.

 

[Andrewn]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society, I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims). I feel numb. Every news I read is all about bad things in the world. I feel nothing, feel no compassion. Am I a selfish person? I must be a bad Christian. Sigh.

- It's kind of contradictory that you feel this way while your avatar shows the heart of Christ.

- There are many disasters around the world, both natural and man-made. We feel for the victims and the best of us may travel to these areas or send monetary contributions.

- Selfishness is the basic human sin: to be wrapped up in my own life and circumstances and ignoring my neighbors.

- Jesus emptied himself taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness (Php 2:7).

- This is the first step toward holiness:

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

 

[Neogaia777]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society,
I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims).

I feel numb.
Every news I read is all about bad things in the world.
I feel nothing, feel no compassion.

Am I a selfish person?
I must be a bad Christian.
Sigh.

Take a break from that stuff for awhile, and see how you feel when you go back to it, it's meant to drain you, make you feel numb/indifferent, stay away from it and out of it for while and then go back to it after a while, but even then, limit your exposure to it after that, etc, because that is not a sin, but is what is required for you not to lose heart, or lose your heart, etc, for that (the latter) is a sin, etc.

And when talking about selfishness in general, sometimes one of the hardest things in the world to do is just to back up and back off for a little while or for a little bit, and just disengage/walk away for awhile or for a little bit, and just do absolutely nothing for little while or for a little bit, etc, but it may be what is required, and more than likely is what is most absolutely required, for a little bit, etc, and as long as your not a genuinely and truly selfish person on the inside or in your heart, then your fine in God's eyes I think, etc.

He's been teaching me this a lot lately, and in how all my own attempts to "help" have been going lately, and it's a very difficult lesson; especially for someone like me; to learn, etc, harder then every and any other lesson I have ever had to learn, or have already learned, etc, and we have covered, and/or been through, or have learned "a lot", etc.

Use the time away to get into and/or draw closer to Him, and renew your strength in/with Him, etc.

God Bless!

 

[timf]

In Galatians chapter five the difference between being in the flesh and the Spirit is described. Christians can be at one end of the spectrum or the other. We are usually in the middle as we mature in faith we are generally moving from the deeds of the flesh to the works of the Spirit.

This can also be seen by considering the works of the flesh as essentially selfishness. The word "love" is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as essentially selflessness. Our Christian life can be seen as a transition from selfishness to selflessness (Christ-likeness).

Some churches elevate political and social activism and equate Christian maturity with the desire to achieve political goals. This is a distraction from true Christian maturity.

If you find that people are measuring and judging you and want you to "dance to their tune", you may want to find some different Christians with whom to associate.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society,
I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims).

I feel numb.
Every news I read is all about bad things in the world.
I feel nothing, feel no compassion.

Am I a selfish person?
I must be a bad Christian.
Sigh.

Having no empathy may be a condition rather than a sin. Hopefully you have compassion for family and friends?
Blessings

 

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

I don't have much money to give to the poor, and most churches here (Malaysia) also do not encourage members to do charity,
Christians seldom talk about to influence the society anymore,
everyone keeps silent about what happening around us,
therefore I think we are all selfish.

We feel nothing to see inequity in our society, we feel no pity to refugees etc.
We only can say: God saves me and I go to Heaven.

I just feel that I am not only selfish, but I also do nothing for God and men.

 

[Neogaia777]

I don't have much money to give to the poor, and most churches here (Malaysia) also do not encourage members to do charity,
Christians seldom talk about to influence the society anymore,
everyone keeps silent about what happening around us,
therefore I think we are all selfish.

We feel nothing to see inequity in our society, we feel no pity to refugees etc.
We only can say: God saves me and I go to Heaven.

I just feel that I am not only selfish, but I also do nothing for God and men.

Then be different, and maybe try to separate yourself from them maybe, and try some things yourself, etc, and all by yourself if you have to, etc, do what you think you can, or what you maybe think you would or maybe might be good at, and just try it (out/on) for a time, etc...

"Who knows", you might just see God work things out in what you are doing or are trying to do in ways that you cannot even think of and/or imagine right now with it, etc, or by it or through it, etc, not to mention all the stuff you probably will learn by it and/or because of it also, etc...

Do something, try something, and don't be afraid to be different, etc...

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

I don't have much money to give to the poor, and most churches here (Malaysia) also do not encourage members to do charity,
Christians seldom talk about to influence the society anymore,
everyone keeps silent about what happening around us,
therefore I think we are all selfish.

We feel nothing to see inequity in our society, we feel no pity to refugees etc.
We only can say: God saves me and I go to Heaven.

I just feel that I am not only selfish, but I also do nothing for God and men.

Oh and also, if not society, then individuals also, etc...

And individual by individual if you have to, etc, because that is in all actuality what true "discipleship" always was, and always use to mean, etc...

"Mentorship", etc, is another word for it, etc...

I am trying to do that with a few people right now, as a matter of fact... Try it, etc...

God Bless!

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society,
I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims).

I feel numb.
Every news I read is all about bad things in the world.
I feel nothing, feel no compassion.

Am I a selfish person?
I must be a bad Christian.
Sigh.

Selfishness is a foundation for many types of sins. For example, the foundational teaching is to love God with everything within you, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Selfishness is about only looking out for one's self, thus on a foundational level laying out the groundwork for a life of sin, whatever that life might be.

What we do instead once we've identified a sin in our lives, is what makes the difference.

 

[Andrewn]

Having no empathy may be a condition rather than a sin. Hopefully you have compassion for family and friends?

Even the most hardened criminals love their children. In fact, they favor their children above everyone else whereas righteous people may not favor their children above other children and try to seek the benefit of all. They will not encourage their children to beat others or cheat to win a game or win in business for example.

Mat 7:11 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children,

 

[returntosender]

I don't have much money to give to the poor, and most churches here (Malaysia) also do not encourage members to do charity,
Christians seldom talk about to influence the society anymore,
everyone keeps silent about what happening around us,
therefore I think we are all selfish.

We feel nothing to see inequity in our society, we feel no pity to refugees etc.
We only can say: God saves me and I go to Heaven.

I just feel that I am not only selfish, but I also do nothing for God and men.

This post is enlightening, you've seen atrocities? You're burnt out. Can you go home? It's hurting you now, mentally.its time to think of yourself and get some rest away from it. Continue on when you are well and strong in mind.
God bless you!
L

 

[ChristServant]

Is selfishness a sin?
Sometimes I feel indifferent to the inequity of the society,
I feel nothing to see people in troubles or disasters (like flood victims, Covid's victims).

I feel numb.
Every news I read is all about bad things in the world.
I feel nothing, feel no compassion.

Am I a selfish person?
I must be a bad Christian.
Sigh.

My heart was really hardened at one time toward the world and people, full of pride, vanity, anger and hatred. As time has gone on that has changed, my heart goes out to many in the world and their suffering. It's a strange thing because when I was young my heart was warm and open, the world and society hardened it greatly.

My calling has changed me and my understanding of the world. My understanding is that every single person in the world is made in the image of GOD, thus giving them value and worth, a potential brother or sister in Christ that GOD knitted together in the womb. The other thing is I feel sad that so many are heading into eternal damnation.

I believe that not any one person is any better than any other. I know many Christians believe they are but their not, the only difference is they have accepted the free gift of salvation through Christ and this makes them better off for sure but not a better person because we are all sinners.

If you continue in your walk drawing ever closer to GOD your heart will soften towards others and their suffering in the world. It may take time, one thing I would suggest is avoid the TV, media and read some scripture in a quiet place, this helped me find more peace.

Christians need to stop seeing themselves as better than others.

Peace be to all those in the Body of Christ.

 

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

I can only love myself and my family's members.
Am I selfish?

 

[Andrewn]

I can only love myself and my family's members. Am I selfish?

Yes, extremely so . Evil people love their families and friends as shown in movies about the mob.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

I can only love myself and my family's members.
Am I selfish?

Well, perhaps I'm bias as I feel the way same as you do, but I feel no guilt over it. So here's going to be the most unpopular reply in the whole thread.

Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

Was this a condemnation or an observation? I think this was just an observation. How many people are sowing the seeds of their own destruction, and when they're own iniquity has caused them loss or injury, why would I get emotionally distraught over it? I'm not. They made their bed, and now they have to lie in it.

I don't give to charity; charity begins at home and I have my own family to take care of. Why would I donate food, especially here in America, when I see firsthand the WASTE! It [expletive] me off, like you wouldn't believe. No. I'm not giving nor helping anyone outside of my family. They're wasteful; they're ungrateful. People have had enough time to prepare for bad times and to get right with God. I don't want to hear it when the twister comes and they haven't built their storm shelter.

There is selfishness and then there is realistic survival and all survival is selfish, but survival is not sin. It's only sin when you have the ability to help another and there is nothing stopping you; the person's trouble is evident, and you refuse to help.

Serving your family is priority and by serving them, you serve God and the church.

Jeremiah 11:14-15 "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest."

There will come a time when God will even turn his ear away from our cries, and tells us not to pray for them. Even Jesus Christ the night he was betrayed, prayed:

John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”

 

[LayHong_Loves_Christ]

Most of the time I cannot help the poor,
how to define the poor?
Homeless people? Refugees?
I can't help them effectively.
The government social welfare department should help, not me.
I do not have money to help them.
Some of them are criminals, likely to commit crime.
The Rohinya refugees are Muslims,
Why should I help them?
They came here to become beggars, and also thieves and robbers.

It is better they don't come here, let them die in the sea.

 

[Neogaia777]

Most of the time I cannot help the poor,
how to define the poor?
Homeless people? Refugees?
I can't help them effectively.
The government social welfare department should help, not me.
I do not have money to help them.
Some of them are criminals, likely to commit crime.
The Rohinya refugees are Muslims,
Why should I help them?
They came here to become beggars, and also thieves and robbers.

It is better they don't come here, let them die in the sea.

It is hard to truly, truly be of some; and most especially "great"; real true "help" to people sometimes, and is something I have also learned, or have been learning now also as well, etc, but I think we should still always be looking, and/or thinking about these things, etc, and still trying things, etc...

If you are more "grown up" than somebody else maybe, etc, and maybe for, or as an example here maybe, etc, then maybe try mentoring someone else maybe, and be about helping them "grow up" more now as well maybe, etc, and maybe also by telling or sharing with them about how you learned it and/or did it yourself maybe, and by also explaining to them how you just want to spare them some of the suffering, and sorrow, and misery, and/or anguish, or pain maybe, etc...?

Still not easy by any means, and still does not always work always by any means, etc, but I still wouldn't stop trying things, etc...

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

I try to look for and take full advantage of any opportunities to improve upon the people I interact with, both regularly and not regularly, as much as I can always, and when I think those opportunities might be presenting themselves, etc, and that's about as much "real help" I feel like I can be right now, etc...

And am still looking for ways to "branch out" more maybe still, on or from that still, etc...

God Bless!