Self-interest is the pursuit of one’s own desires, or the pursuit of a desirable outcome for one’s self. Conversely, Yeshua’s teachings call for self-sacrifice, the act of giving up your own will by the pursuit of someone else’s (or God’s will). Additionally, Yeshua’s preaching called for living lives of altruistic love, love for others (and for God) that supersedes the love for one’s self and the love for earthly desires. On the basis of these philosophical ideas defined, it is clear to say that self-interest is not part of the prescription for living a proper Christian life, a life that falls in line with the teachings of Yeshua instead requires self-sacrifice and altruistic love. In this essay, by means of biblical account and practical
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The man’s name is Phil; Phil, a Christian man, knows that he is commanded to tithe at church, however he has also been saving ten percent of his paycheck in order to save up and buy a new car. It is clearly in Phil’s best, albeit temporal, self-interest to withhold the money in order to continue saving up for the new car. Here lies the contradiction, Phil’s self-interest leads to contradictory behavior in relation to his Christianity. Examining another example, Phil has recently graduated medical school, it is his intention to start his residency so he can become a highly paid neurosurgeon; however this Sunday at church Phil was asked to go on a missions trip in which, his residency requirements will be fulfilled, and he will be assisting a doctor in a small village to treat the villagers and share the Gospel. Now Phil being self-interested as he is decides to, despite his commandment to do so, stay home in hopes of becoming a highly paid doctor sooner rather than later. Again we see that, using Phil as an example, the self-interested ‘Christian’ has an inability to serve God properly; now these are extreme examples and this is surely not absolute truth. What is true, however, is that self-interest gets in the way of living according to proper Christian commissions. Therefore the only role self-interest has in Christian life is to impede upon living exactly that, a Christian life.
The man’s name is Phil; Phil, a Christian man, knows that he is commanded to tithe at church, however he has also been saving ten percent of his paycheck in order to save up and buy a new car. It is clearly in Phil’s best, albeit temporal, self-interest to withhold the money in order to continue saving up for the new car. Here lies the contradiction, Phil’s self-interest leads to contradictory behavior in relation to his Christianity. Examining another example, Phil has recently graduated medical school, it is his intention to start his residency so he can become a highly paid neurosurgeon; however this Sunday at church Phil was asked to go on a missions trip in which, his residency requirements will be fulfilled, and he will be assisting a doctor in a small village to treat the villagers and share the Gospel. Now Phil being self-interested as he is decides to, despite his commandment to do so, stay home in hopes of becoming a highly paid doctor sooner rather than later. Again we see that, using Phil as an example, the self-interested ‘Christian’ has an inability to serve God properly; now these are extreme examples and this is surely not absolute truth. What is true, however, is that self-interest gets in the way of living according to proper Christian commissions. Therefore the only role self-interest has in Christian life is to impede upon living exactly that, a Christian life.