The willingness to leave one's possessions or to give them to others; to deny oneself to the point of death or to give oneself in the service of God or other people.
Self-sacrifice as forfeiting one's present comfort for the sake of others
Ruth 2:11 See also Genesis 44:33–34; Hebrews 10:34, Hebrews 11:24–27
Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.
Self-sacrifice as giving one's possessions to others
Jesus Christ commends the willingness to give away one's possessions
Matthew 19:21 parallels Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22 See also Luke 12:33
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
God rewards those who give their possessions away
Luke 18:28–30 parallels Matthew 19:27–29, Mark 10:28–30
“Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times more in this age — and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Sacrificing one's possessions as demonstrated in the life of the church
See also Acts 2:44–45, Acts 4:32–37; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5
Self-sacrifice as leaving all and following Jesus Christ
Such sacrifice is a condition of discipleship
Luke 14:33 See also Matthew 10:37 parallel Luke 14:26 This means loving Jesus Christ over and above one's immediate family.
In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.
Those willing to leave everything to follow Jesus Christ
Self-sacrifice as the metaphorical laying down of one's life for others
Followers of Jesus Christ are required to give themselves in the service of others
John 12:24–25 See also Matthew 10:38 parallel Luke 14:27; Matthew 16:24–25 parallels Mark 8:34–35, Luke 9:23–24; Luke 17:33; 1 John 3:16–18
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Examples of those who demonstrated such self-sacrifice
2 Corinthians 4:10–11 See also 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, 1 Corinthians 15:30–31; 2 Corinthians 11:23–29, 2 Corinthians 12:15
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.
Self-sacrifice as the literal laying down of one's life
Jesus Christ warns his disciples to be prepared to give their lives
Matthew 10:21–22 parallels Mark 13:12–13, Luke 21:16–17
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
Sacrificing one's life is of no value without love
See also 1 Corinthians 13:3
Examples of those willing to give their lives for the sake of God and others
Acts 20:23–24 See also Exodus 32:32; 1 Chronicles 11:15–19; Esther 4:14–16; Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:35–36, Luke 22:42; Philippians 2:17
I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus — the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Examples of those who gave their lives in God's service
Acts 7:59–60 See also Judges 11:36–38; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 11:36–38; Revelation 20:4
While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.