Raise Each Other Up

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

​Some people think that in order to be successful you need to push others to the bottom so that you are able to climb to the top.  This is especially common in American culture.  The thought is that if others are as successful as you are, then you are not successful; you are average.  No one wants to be average.  However, the reality is that if everyone was raising each other up, the world would be a much better place.  God warns us of the dangers of trying to be successful for recognition or glory.  He tells us that we are to value others more than we value ourselves; their needs are to be more important than ours.

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​Taking the time to care about others and putting them before ourselves seems hard.  Everyone is busy with work, school, kids, and family, but it is important to remember that God wants us to love each other more than ourselves.  Therefore, we ask the question: ​How can we value others?  

We are to look to Jesus as our model for how and when we should help others.  The Bible tells us of Jesus feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and comforting the sad.  Jesus was perfect, and although we could never be perfect, we should aim to do everything that we can to help others. God demands it, but we also want to give with joyful hearts, not out of obligation or for recognition, but for God’s glory.  Prayers, materials, time, and emotional support all can be directed to make other people’s lives more positive and show our love to others. Money isn’t the only way that we can be supportive to people who are less fortunate. 

Leah Whitson is a junior Human Social Services major at Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the Resident Support Intern here at New Beginnings.   After college she plans to pursue a Master's in Social Work, and one day she hopes to use her experience at New Beginnings as a good foundation .   During her free time Leah likes to travel, play with her dogs, and spend time with her fiancé.