Moving From Selfishness to Self-Denial
Human beings have a natural tendency toward selfishness: it is part of
our Adamic nature. It is not learned behavior: our brains are
hard-wired to cater to self. I have always liked how Paul described
this inclination in one passage of scripture: "For no man ever yet
hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it" (Eph. 5:29a,
KJV). Indeed, from birth we each on a mission to have our needs met,
have our appetites sated, and have our interests promoted.
For the Christian, this poses a real problem. The Christian walk may
not be synonymous with asceticism, but there is no denying that Jesus
Himself taught the necessity of self-denial. "If any [man] will come
after me," the Lord said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me" (Matt. 16:24b, KJV). And elsewhere, "He that loveth his
life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall
keep it unto life eternal" (Jn. 12:25). Every believer needs to make a
journey from selfishness to self-denial to stay in the will of God.
But, practically speaking, how do we do it?
The thought has occurred to me that as selfishness is supremely
natural, self-denial is supernatural. That is to say, genuine
self-denial is the result of a change in focus from oneself to God.
This readjusted focus was also part of Jesus' doctrine: for example, in
Luke 12:22–31, where He admonished us to give up our obsession with
worldly matters (specifically, What will we eat? or What clothes can we
find to wear?). Jesus said we should no longer concentrate on our own
creature comforts (no longer be self-centered), “but rather seek… the
kingdom of God” (become God-centered).
To be God-centered will not mean we are “so heavenly minded” that we’re
“no earthly good.” Mundane matters may sometimes occupy our
attention—we will still pursue sustenance through our industry, for
instance. Paul flatly exhorted us to work and earn our own "bread" (1
Thess. 3:10-12). Moreover, we are instructed care for others' material
needs in the process. “Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4, KJV). Part of
God-centeredness is being mindful to help others.
If we return to the passage in Luke chapter 12, we encounter a
practical technique for manifesting self-denial in our lives: “Sell
that ye have and give alms” (12:33, KJV). Is there any more direct way
for us to reject selfishness than to distribute our hoarded resources
to others? Scripture tells us this is how the early church behaved. The
body of believers suffered no lack, because the brethren with great
possessions sold them to distribute the proceeds “unto every man
according as he had need” (Acts 4:35, KJV). Those Christians defeated
selfishness as they employed the same means of self-denial taught in
Luke 12:33.
Now, selling our possessions and giving away the proceeds is radical;
perhaps it even sounds cultish. I find my carnal mind can easily reason
against it. But it also reminds of another extreme act of sacrificial
giving—when God gave His only begotten Son. Maybe staying focused on
the Lord's own example can spur us to sacrificial giving like that
described in Luke 12:33. It is at least worth our contemplating how we
could apply this scripture to our lives today.
our Adamic nature. It is not learned behavior: our brains are
hard-wired to cater to self. I have always liked how Paul described
this inclination in one passage of scripture: "For no man ever yet
hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it" (Eph. 5:29a,
KJV). Indeed, from birth we each on a mission to have our needs met,
have our appetites sated, and have our interests promoted.
For the Christian, this poses a real problem. The Christian walk may
not be synonymous with asceticism, but there is no denying that Jesus
Himself taught the necessity of self-denial. "If any [man] will come
after me," the Lord said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me" (Matt. 16:24b, KJV). And elsewhere, "He that loveth his
life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall
keep it unto life eternal" (Jn. 12:25). Every believer needs to make a
journey from selfishness to self-denial to stay in the will of God.
But, practically speaking, how do we do it?
The thought has occurred to me that as selfishness is supremely
natural, self-denial is supernatural. That is to say, genuine
self-denial is the result of a change in focus from oneself to God.
This readjusted focus was also part of Jesus' doctrine: for example, in
Luke 12:22–31, where He admonished us to give up our obsession with
worldly matters (specifically, What will we eat? or What clothes can we
find to wear?). Jesus said we should no longer concentrate on our own
creature comforts (no longer be self-centered), “but rather seek… the
kingdom of God” (become God-centered).
To be God-centered will not mean we are “so heavenly minded” that we’re
“no earthly good.” Mundane matters may sometimes occupy our
attention—we will still pursue sustenance through our industry, for
instance. Paul flatly exhorted us to work and earn our own "bread" (1
Thess. 3:10-12). Moreover, we are instructed care for others' material
needs in the process. “Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4, KJV). Part of
God-centeredness is being mindful to help others.
If we return to the passage in Luke chapter 12, we encounter a
practical technique for manifesting self-denial in our lives: “Sell
that ye have and give alms” (12:33, KJV). Is there any more direct way
for us to reject selfishness than to distribute our hoarded resources
to others? Scripture tells us this is how the early church behaved. The
body of believers suffered no lack, because the brethren with great
possessions sold them to distribute the proceeds “unto every man
according as he had need” (Acts 4:35, KJV). Those Christians defeated
selfishness as they employed the same means of self-denial taught in
Luke 12:33.
Now, selling our possessions and giving away the proceeds is radical;
perhaps it even sounds cultish. I find my carnal mind can easily reason
against it. But it also reminds of another extreme act of sacrificial
giving—when God gave His only begotten Son. Maybe staying focused on
the Lord's own example can spur us to sacrificial giving like that
described in Luke 12:33. It is at least worth our contemplating how we
could apply this scripture to our lives today.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by evangelist pastor susie houston on
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iam blessto join your group thank you evangelist pastor susie houston
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Permalink Reply by camillia on
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I praise God for my church family. There have been times when i find toilet tissue or dishes and the like on my porch...excesses of another. We eat at eachothers homes frequently ..we see one another on a regular basis. Our calendar is not filled with events but rather birthdays...we love eachother. My pastor is a servant ...he fixes cars, doors, fences and the like. We go to movies together and if one of us is not in a prayer meeting or church you better believe someone is calling checking on them!!!! Glory be to God for the body!! Lord, i pray you continue to knit us together.....Father , so many hearts are growing cold....
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iam glad to join your group thank you evangelist pastor susie houston
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