Far too long

Okay, so I have more than just slacked off on this blog for quite some time.  For that, I apologize to anybody that might be interested and to myself.
I wanted to talk about selfishness versus selflessness today.  Using pop culture, the Sith are selfish while the Jedi are selfless, but what does that really mean?
To me, being selfless means putting the needs of others ahead of your own.  Like the father of a family with very little to eat being the one that goes without when there isn't enough to go around.  Or the woman that sacrifices her dreams of becoming a famous singer to become a mother and spend more time caring for her children than caring for herself.
On the other hand I picture a selfish person as only "looking out for number one".
While it is human nature to take care of yourself and ensure your own survival, is it not also part of the human experience to help others?
If you help others when you gain nothing in return, that seems clearly selfless.
If you only help others when you yourself would also benefit, is that selfish?

What do you think?  Does selfishness versus selflessness have anything to do with a belief in some God or higher power?  Are those who are, or at least seem to be, selfless only that way because they fear God?

And what about God or whatever higher power you believe in?  Is/are He/She/they selfish or selfless?

I believe that God is selfless and puts our needs ahead of His own.