It does not descend with condescension. It comes alongside with a friendly cheerfulness. He who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness. Rather than treat others in a patronizing way, it creates dignity, hope, and the will to live again. It rejoices when others become independent, stand on their own feet, feel the power of God pulsating in their veins, and then become concerned for others.
Mercy creates human values among the apparently valueless.
It can never consider any person as a useless chore, to be kept alive only because euthanasia is forbidden. Obviously such mercy requires specialization, so it needs some Christians to give themselves to this particular gift. All Christians will demonstrate it on occasion, but those to whom the Holy Spirit divides the gift will make it their vocation. Unfortunately some church members who might develop this gift are told that preaching, teaching, or evangelistic activities are the only avenues of Christian service. In other churches those who should specialize in, say, administration, pastoral work, or creative writing feel guilty because they are not engaged more directly in works of mercy.