Selflessness is a virtue that reflects the heart of God. In a world that often promotes self-interest, the Bible teaches that true greatness comes from serving others. When we put others before ourselves, we follow the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself for the sake of humanity.
It is easy to focus on our own needs and desires, but Scripture calls us to love, serve, and consider others above ourselves. This does not mean neglecting our well-being but rather seeking the good of others with a heart of humility.
Living selflessly is not always easy, but it brings joy, peace, and fulfillment. Let’s see these verses that teach us the importance of putting others before ourselves and living with a servant’s heart.
Bible Verses About Putting Others Before Yourself
1. Philippians 2:3-4
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
2. Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
3. Galatians 5:13
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
4. John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
5. Matthew 20:26-28
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
6. Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
7. 1 Corinthians 10:24
“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
8. Luke 6:31
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
9. Hebrews 13:16
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
10. Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
11. James 2:8
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.”
12. 1 Peter 4:10
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
13. Romans 15:1-2
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.”
14. Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
15. Proverbs 11:25
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
16. 2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
17. 1 John 3:17-18
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
18. Acts 20:35
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
19. Matthew 7:12
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
20. Colossians 3:12-13
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
21. 2 Timothy 2:24
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.”
22. Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
23. John 13:14-15
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
24. Romans 14:19
“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”
25. Philippians 2:5-7
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”
26. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
27. Titus 3:8
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”
28. Ephesians 5:21
“Submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
29. Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
30. Psalm 112:5
“A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion.”
31. Proverbs 22:9
“He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.”
32. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.”
33. Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
34. Luke 14:13-14
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
35. Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Our Thought on What the Bible Says About Putting Others Before Yourself
The Bible teaches that selflessness is a reflection of God’s love. Jesus, our perfect example, humbled Himself and served others, calling us to do the same. When we put others before ourselves, we show Christ’s love in action. True fulfillment comes not from selfish ambition but from lifting others up, serving with joy, and walking in love.
Our call as Christians is not just to care for our own needs but also to care deeply for the needs of others. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, offering support, or simply showing love, we are living out the heart of God when we prioritize others.
In a world that often promotes self-interest, we are called to counter that by embracing humility and love, serving others as Christ did for us. Through this, we fulfill God’s command to love one another and reflect His nature to the world.