Personal Gain in the Church: Confronting Selfishness in the House of God

The church is meant to be a sanctuary of grace, a place where believers gather to worship God and serve one another in love. It is the body of Christ, unified under one purpose: to glorify Him and advance His kingdom. However, as human nature often does, selfishness can creep in, turning what should be a selfless pursuit of God's will into a stage for personal agendas and gain.

Selfishness in the church is subtle, often cloaked in spiritual ambition or masked by good intentions. But its effects can be devastating. It fractures relationships, stifles growth, and undermines the gospel's witness. It’s a heart issue that every believer must confront and surrender to God.

The Danger of Selfish Ambition

James 3:16 warns us: "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

When personal gain becomes the focus in ministry, disorder is inevitable. Leaders may compete for recognition instead of serving humbly. Members may seek to be served rather than to serve. Even spiritual gifts, meant to edify the body, can be misused for attention or influence.

Consider the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. They were deeply religious but driven by pride and selfish motives. They sought the praise of people rather than the approval of God (Matthew 6:1-5). Jesus repeatedly called out their hypocrisy, warning against self-righteousness and the pursuit of personal gain within a spiritual context.

The Root of the Problem

At the heart of selfishness is a lack of surrender. It’s a refusal to trust God fully, believing instead that we must grasp for position, recognition, or material benefits. This mindset is contrary to the humility Christ demonstrated. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

When selfishness is unchecked, it breeds entitlement. People begin to treat the church as a means to their own ends—whether it’s networking for business, gaining influence, or fulfilling personal desires. Instead of seeking God's glory, they seek their own.

The Call to Selflessness

The gospel calls us to a radically different way of life. Jesus taught that true greatness is found in servanthood:

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." – Mark 10:43-44

This doesn’t mean we suppress our God-given gifts or passions. Instead, it means we offer them back to God, trusting Him to use them for His purposes. When our hearts are aligned with His, our motives shift from self-promotion to kingdom advancement.

The early church modeled this beautifully. In Acts 2:44-45, believers shared everything they had, ensuring no one was in need. Their selflessness was a testimony to the transformative power of Christ.

Signs of Selfishness in the Church

1. Seeking Recognition Over Service: Desiring titles, positions, or public acknowledgment instead of quietly serving where needed.

2. Competition Instead of Collaboration: Viewing other ministries or members as rivals rather than co-laborers.

3. Consumer Mentality: Treating the church as a place to “get” rather than a community to “give.”

4. Resistance to Accountability: Rejecting correction or feedback because it threatens personal ambition.

How to Overcome Selfishness

1. Examine Your Motives: Regularly ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" Are you seeking God’s glory or your own?

2. Practice Servanthood: Look for ways to serve others without expecting anything in return.

3. Embrace Humility: Remember that everything you have—your gifts, talents, and opportunities—comes from God.

4. Focus on Eternity: Personal gain is temporary, but investing in God’s kingdom has eternal rewards.

A Prayer of Surrender

Lord, search my heart and reveal any selfish motives within me. Teach me to serve others with humility and to seek Your glory above my own. Help me to remember that everything I have is from You, and everything I do is for You. May my life reflect the selflessness of Christ, who gave everything for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Thoughts

Selfishness has no place in the house of God. As believers, we are called to reflect the selfless love of Christ, laying down our personal agendas for the sake of His kingdom. When we do this, the church becomes a beacon of hope, unity, and love in a world desperate for truth.

Let’s commit to making the church a place where selflessness reigns and Christ is glorified in all we do.

In His Love,
Lady Pastor Prisca Olivera
Spirit of Redemption Embassy
“Empowering Lives, Strengthening Faith, and Guiding Hearts Toward Christ”