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Our culture says, look out for number one.

Me first.

Give me some more.

Today, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the biblical alternative.

Here comes Jesus who says,

blessed are the merciful.

But what is mercy?

Mercy doesn't just say, oh, look at that poor person.

Mercy says, I'm going to do something for that poor person.

I'm going to feed that hungry person.

I'm going to be a friend to that lonely person.

Mercy is basically pity plus action.

During World War II, everyone sacrificed,

meatless Tuesdays, rationed gasoline, sugar, meat, cooking oil, canned goods.

Nowadays, we post pictures of our excesses on social media.

Self-sacrifice begat the selfie.

It's been called corrosive narcissism.

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