[Jesus] takes men as they are, with all their faults and weaknesses, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and taught by Him. Education, p. 91.
Selfishness is a hindrance to believing in Christ
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”