Biblical Answer

Is it Selfish to Prioritize Your Own Needs?

When we talk about selfishness, we often think of it as something negative, something that we should avoid at all costs. However, the Bible teaches us that there is a distinction between selfishness in the wrong sense and self-care in the right sense. Selfishness that seeks our own good at the expense of others is wrong, and that is what is meant when we say that we should not be selfish. But self-care, on the other hand, is not selfish at all. In fact, it is necessary for us to prioritize our own needs in order to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

The Bible teaches us to prioritize others over ourselves, as seen in Philippians 2:3, which says, "Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself." However, this does not mean that we should neglect our own needs entirely. In fact, Jesus taught us to take care of ourselves so that we can serve others more effectively. He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). This means that we should prioritize our own needs in order to have the energy and resources to serve others.

So, is it selfish to want to prioritize your own needs? No, it is not. In fact, it is necessary for us to prioritize our own needs in order to live a healthy and fulfilling life. We should not be afraid to take care of ourselves, but rather, we should seek to do so in a way that honors God and prioritizes the needs of others. As the Bible says, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). This means that we should prioritize our own needs in order to have the ability to love and serve others more effectively. So, let us not be afraid to prioritize our own needs, but rather, let us do so in a way that honors God and prioritizes the needs of others.