Love Is Not SelfishSample

Love Is Not Selfish in Its Decisions

Every day, we make decisions—some small, others life-altering. What drives those choices? For many, the first consideration is, How will this affect me? They also ask, Will it be convenient? Will it make me happy? Will it be easy? Without even realizing it, selfishness can quietly take the driver’s seat in our decision-making.

Scripture reminds us that love, as God defines it, “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). This means love isn’t self-serving. It doesn’t place personal interests at the top of the list. A life shaped by God’s love considers how choices impact others—not just what is comfortable or beneficial.

Think about your daily decisions. Parents, your children are watching how you prioritize your time, energy, and commitments. If your decisions are consistently based on personal convenience, they will learn to do the same. Selfishness doesn’t remain isolated—it spreads. It shows up in marriages, in families, in friendships. It influences how we serve, how we give, and how we interact with the world.

Selfishness can quietly shape our habits even in trivial things—where to eat, what to watch on TV, who gets to use the last phone upgrade. Selfishness becomes even more serious when it affects how we steward our relationships and responsibilities. Do you serve in your home with joy, or do you only step in when it suits you? Do you give sacrificially, or only when it doesn’t inconvenience you? Do you prioritize time with God, or does He get what’s left over?

The truth is, everyone sacrifices for something. The question is: What are you sacrificing for? A self-focused life prioritizes personal gain, while a God-focused life prioritizes obedience, generosity, and service. Love that reflects Christ willingly lays aside self-interest for the good of others.

Take a moment today to examine your past decisions. Are they shaped by love for God and others, or by a quiet pursuit of self? Whose kingdom are you really advancing? Is it the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self? True love chooses selflessness. Make it your aim to seek His will first in every choice you make.