Self-interest: Balancing Personal Goals with Care for Others

Self-interest — looking after our own goals, needs and wellbeing — is a natural part of life. Pursued with balance it motivates growth and protects what is good; pursued without regard for God or others it hardens into selfishness that harms everyone, including ourselves.

A Balanced View of Self-interest

Healthy self-interest involves pursuing one's own goals while respecting the needs and rights of others and contributing to their wellbeing, as opposed to selfishness, which prioritises one's own desires at the expense of others (Phil 2:1-5). It is important to distinguish between the two and to maintain a balanced approach that recognises both self-interest and the necessity for empathy and selflessness. This entails identifying methods to accomplish personal objectives while also considering the welfare of others and being aware of the broader societal impact of our actions.

Personal goals or interests pursued through hard work and effort lead to growth and innovation, benefiting individuals and potentially society.

Self-interest is also good when it motivates us to effectively protect our ministry, character and life from attack, as self-preservation is a God-given instinct (Eph 5:29). We should not be coerced by peer pressure or dictated to by those in authority if it encroaches on our relationship with God or violates our rights and ethical values, including those of our physical bodies regarding unproven medical remedies (Dan 1:8; Act 5:29). Don't compromise godly values, but deny yourself and be committed to fulfil your calling, remembering we are answerable to God, not man. Yet faithfulness to the call of God on our lives should never come at the exclusion of assisting others in their ministry — we are called to serve fellow labourers and help their work prosper too (Phil 2:19-22; 3 Jn 1:5-8).

We must balance personal needs with those of the wider community

When Self-interest Goes Wrong

When self becomes our sole priority, with little or no regard for others, our lives become unbalanced and all our relationships suffer. This wrong self-interest often causes us to ‘skew the facts’ to our advantage, which is dangerous. Giving a false report in the belief this would gain favour did not result in the desired personal reward for the Amalekite who killed Saul (2 Sam 1:2-16). Haman and the rulers opposed to Daniel also had wrong motives, endeavouring to gain the advantage by putting others down, but they brought about their own destruction (Est 5:11-14, 9:25; Dan 6:3-24).

Complaining or a “what's in it for me” attitude are also symptoms of improper self-interest, rather than working together for a common cause with a servant's heart of gratitude. Even in Christian work it is possible to have a hidden agenda of personal honour or recognition when each person is focused on their own gain without the right motivation to bring glory to God (Isa 56:11; Act 8:18-24). Conflicts and unanswered prayers are often the result of such self-centred motives, as individuals prioritise their interests, not those of others or Christ, and this will be to their detriment (Phil 2:4,21; 2 Tim 3:2; Jas 4:1-3).

Do I put God or myself first?

We must live by the principle of treating others as we would like to be treated, for by blessing others we will likewise receive blessing (Prov 11:24-25; Lk 6:31,38). Can we realistically expect to be treated differently from how we treat others? Jesus told a parable to illustrate this (Mt 18:21-35). Wise advice from the Bible says, do not exalt yourself, but let others honour you if they consider it appropriate, or else you will be humiliated when others don't see things from your perspective (Prov 25:6-7,27; Lk 14:7-11).

Putting God First

Being a close follower of Jesus and trying to protect one's petty selfish interests are incompatible. He said, “If anyone would come after me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Lk 9:23-24). This is partly outworked as sacrificing personal inconsequential self-interests for the joint benefit of the masses.

Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him

By honouring God through our tithes and devotion, we transcend self-interest. God acknowledges such actions with promised blessings (Mal 3:10-12,16-18). Our motive to obey God should be our love for Him, not because of the consequences of disobedience, yet either way it's in our best interest to do things His way! “Those who honour God He will honour” (1 Sam 2:30; Mk 10:29-30). Why be stubborn and think you can do better than the Creator, or rebel against His ways that will prevail? God's ways are the opposite of the world's humanistic ways. By putting Him first, all the other things will be taken care of (Mt 6:33). This requires us to step out in faith, acting before there is the promised consequence, yet He always keeps His word (Ps 89:34).

Jesus saying, “Not my will but yours be done” resulted in the offer of salvation for humanity and an eternal inheritance of redeemed people for Him. However, those who are self-seeking and reject the truth will experience eternal damnation (Lk 22:42; Rom 2:8).

Reflection and Application:

Ask yourself daily: am I putting God first, or myself?
Replace a “what's in it for me” attitude with a servant's heart of gratitude.
Treat others as you would like to be treated, even when it costs you.
Step out in faith and do things God's way, trusting Him to keep His word.