Christianity is selfish

Today I want to talk about something controversial and most Christians would not agree. That Christianity at its core is selfish.

A lot of churches today teach that you have to help out each other. And that is right. However, why don't we look at how God motivates our help:

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

Hmmm... A reward. Why God put it into the scripture? That appears that he wants us to work for a reward. Of course, a big fat disclaimer, salvation is by grace through faith. The reward is something extra for the work that you do, as is clearly shown here:

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. - 1 Corinthians 9:17

So, if you were motivated by rewards from God to do good works, is that selfish? Yes. Would you work for no salary? No.

Now is the entire model of reward for work righteous in the Lord's eyes? You tell me:

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. - Hebrews 6:10

What does this say? God would be unrighteous to forget your work.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. - 1 Timothy 5:18

This says labourer is worthy of his reward. Labor of love, the labourer is worthy. What's wrong with being rewarded for your labor? Nothing. Is that selfish? I think so.

We are barely scratching the surface though, we'll go much deeper.

Is our salvation selfish? You tend to ask Christians these days "why do you believe", and you get some cliche answer "the Lord is worthy", "I love the Lord". And yeah, sounds nice and dandy, and not entirely off.

Do you know why I believe too though? I don't want to go to hell and roast in hellfire forever and ever. Is that selfish? Yes.

It's funny because almost no one mentions this. Because, if we know that salvation is by grace, meaning, we did not earn it, we are not worthy of it, what would these same people say if Jesus did not pay for our sins on the cross? I mean, by definition, if it is his mercy he didn't have to show mercy. He could let us all go to hell and still be righteous.

What would these same people say if there was no salvation for them, or for anyone? That is kinda how it used to be back in the day

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. - John 4:22

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: - Ephesians 2:12

Salvation was of the Jews and we as heathen had no hope in the world at one time.

So, even if the Lord hated me, and I was appointed to shovel dung for the rest of eternity in heaven, I'd still prefer that (if I was given choice) than going to hell.

Okay, let's see how the Lord motivated old testament patriarchs:

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. - Genesis 13:14-15

Hmmm... It seems like the Lord promised land to Abraham. You know, I guess today's mainstream Christians would be a lot cooler than Abraham and should say in his place "oh no, keep the Land, and I don't want a great nation, I'd rather be a cuck with no children at all to not produce extra CO2". Not.

Let's see about David's promise:

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. - 2 Samuel 7:12-15

So, basically, Lord promised King David he would establish his kingdom forever and there will always be someone of his seed to sit on the throne. Well, that was kind of a big deal back then (and now and forever still) because king Saul lost this chance by disobeying and he was not rewarded and his seed was destroyed also. Other kings, like Baasha, got their entire seed purged from under heaven by the Lord, ouch

And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends. Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet. - 1 Kings 16:11-12

So, what did King David say to the Lord after he heard this promise? Let's take a look:

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. - 2 Samuel 7:25

Whoa, can you imagine, king David is pushing the Lord to do what he had promised! How rude! That is what probably a mainstream Christian would say, if he didn't know these were the words of King David. How can you require anything of God, eh? Now, is that selfish of king David? Hmmm, let's think of something that may not be considered selfish: "I don't know God, I'm kinda sinner... I kinda want you to establish Nathan the prophet, he is more righteous than I! Or maybe the catholic so called "brother" (at least that is how they like to call themselves), they are much holier than I!". Is that what we hear? King David simply enjoys God's reward.

Okay, how about apostle Paul?

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Hmmm, he's talking about a crown which is laid up for him and for everyone who loves his appearing... If I didn't know any better I'd say he's speaking about and looking forward to his reward! How about that...

Jesus? Let's see:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:2

Hmm... Jesus suffered for a joy that was set before him... Interesting.

Okay, how about the Lord the Father:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. - Revelation 4:11

Whoa... Seems like everything was created for God's pleasure? So, it's not about us then, I guess? But we can be selfish and still get what we want?

Let's see King David's prayer:

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. - Psalms 23:3

He leads me for His name's sake. So, it's not about us? But we are led by him for his name's sake and for his pleasure. How does that work? It's selfish for us to be led by the Lord yet Lord has pleasure for his name's sake.

Let's see who needed the law in the old testament:

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. - Deuteronomy 5:33

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. - Deuteronomy 4:6

So, children of Israel ought to have kept the law for THEMSELVES, so it would be good with them and their days would be long. And other nations should look upon it and take notes. Just as if you were skilled at something and then you had a huge advantage in the job market. Sounds quite selfish to me!

Now, let's talk of other forms of what is considered being selfish, but is actually not. If you are a criminal and you go around at other people's expense killing people and robbing them, sooner or later you'll get caught and end up in jail or an electric chair. Or, you could spend your entire life helping everyone and being useful and everyone knows you and likes you and you have many connections and business opportunities and you don't need to rob anyone and can live your life in peace. Which is more selfish? Without a doubt, long term thinking is again more selfish.

To conclude, the great mystery of the one principle of how God created everything:

In God's system everyone benefits by being selfish.

Should you apologize for your rewards in heaven? No.

Should you keep on spouting this garbage that "I just help people because I love them and I don't expect anything in return"? No, you're fake and you're wrong.

Have a good one, Daniel.