100 Bible Verses about Putting Yourself First

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

John 3:16 ESV / 36 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:30 ESV / 34 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Matthew 6:21 ESV / 32 helpful votes

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 30 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 29 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

John 13:34 ESV / 26 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Romans 15:1 ESV / 25 helpful votes

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 22 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Mark 9:35 ESV / 20 helpful votes

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

James 1:17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV / 19 helpful votes

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Proverbs 11:28 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Matthew 22:37 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Exodus 20:1-3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 8:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

John 15:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Luke 6:27-31 ESV / 17 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Romans 12:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

1 John 3:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 3:11 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 John 4:16 ESV / 13 helpful votes

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Colossians 3:1-4 ESV / 13 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

1 John 1:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Romans 12:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Luke 12:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 6:25 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Proverbs 27:23 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,

Proverbs 27:12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 21:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Proverbs 11:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Psalm 62:10 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV / 11 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Romans 13:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 12:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 8:5 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

John 14:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Luke 14:28-30 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Mark 12:30 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 10:45 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 25:14-30 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ...

Proverbs 30:24-25 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 21:5 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 13:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

Proverbs 13:11 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 12:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 10:4 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

Proverbs 3:6 ESV / 11 helpful votes

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 37:4 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Genesis 41:34-36 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

1 John 3:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

James 3:14-16 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

1 Timothy 6:5-10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ...

John 1:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 5:42 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Proverbs 22:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 14:29 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

John 14:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

James 3:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

James 1:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

2 Corinthians 8:12-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

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