From now until December, we’ll be exploring what it looks like to see, care for, lift and love one another, just as Jesus would. In this blog, we’re inviting you to consider what it looks like to care for one another — not just in word, but in deed. When we express Christ-like care for one another, we help meet the tangible, specific needs of our neighbours.
In case you missed the first blog in this series, here are four moments that show us how Jesus sees people.
As we learn to see the world the way Jesus does, we start to notice that things aren’t quite as they should be. Friends fall on hard times, children go hungry and turning on the news often dampens our spirits. The reality is that we live in a broken world, far from how God intends it to be.
As followers of Jesus, we refuse to hide from brokenness. Now is the time to care for one another and help bring God’s shalom — His peace and wholeness — to the world. But where do we start? And what does it mean practically to care for one another as Jesus did? Let’s turn to the Bible for a “God’s-eye perspective”.
By meeting physical needs
The staff and tutors at Compassion centres make sure that each child begins their day with a healthy meal.
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
JAMES 2:15-16
James reminds us that care goes beyond best wishes or good intentions. True care for one another moves us to meet real needs. In other words, when we care for others, we don’t simply talk the talk; we walk the walk.
Jesus’ ministry is a demonstration of this real, tangible care. When the sick were brought before Him, He healed them. When the crowds that He taught grew hungry, He fed them (Matthew 14:14-21).
Jesus never treated these physical needs as distractions from ‘real’, ‘spiritual’ work. Rather, much of His work involved meeting people in their everyday needs, from meals to physical health.
Every person has been uniquely created by God, mind, soul and body. That’s why physical needs matter — our bodies and physical needs are gifts to be stewarded. Therefore, to care for one another often begins with meeting the material needs right in front of us.
By teaching and helping others grow
The encouragement and support of their Compassion centre staff helped these 10 young people in the Philippines finish their university degrees.
“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach…”
PROVERBS 22:17
Throughout Scripture, wisdom is spoken of as something deeply valuable, to be pursued at all costs. The Bible is full of wisdom literature — the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, much of the Psalms and more — all inviting God’s people to seek understanding, discernment and instruction.
Jesus routinely invited His disciples into greater wisdom and learning. As a rabbi, He taught His followers how to pray, as well as how to see the world through a ‘Kingdom-of-God’ lens. Jesus also promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit, who would continue teaching them (John 14:26).
To care for others as Jesus does, then, is to walk alongside them as they learn and grow in wisdom. For those of us in positions where others follow our example — teachers, parents, mentors — it means teaching with patience, recognizing progress and delighting in seeing others grow into their God-given potential.
By fostering relationships and building community
A Compassion centre in Ethiopia provides Ruth and her friends with counselling, community and a sense of belonging.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10
From the very beginning, God intended that people walk through life in community.
In the Garden of Eden, God declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). It’s a theme that continues throughout Scripture: human flourishing never happens apart from connection. Think of Naomi and Ruth’s mutual care, or Jonathan and David’s protection of one another.
We were created for relationships, community and mutual care. We learn this from our very first breath, as babies who are completely dependent on our caregivers. As children, healthy relationships help us gain a sense of who we are and grow in confidence. For children in Compassion’s programmes, caring tutors and local church leaders provide these relationships and support.
As we grow older, we’re reminded of the goodness of relationships when friends help us move into a new home, or when we have a shoulder to cry on during a difficult season. For many youth and young adults in Compassion’s programmes, the care they received in their relationships with tutors, mentors and church leaders equips them to do the same for younger children and their families.
By discipling others and nurturing faith
Once discipled by Pastor Santiago (in white) and his wife (in green), Kevin (in black), 25, now helps disciple the next generation of children in his community.
“…but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.”
PSALM 1:2-3
In this passage, the psalmist paints a picture of a life rooted in God. Like a tree planted beside water, the person who walks by faith and submits to God’s guidance flourishes.
Helping others walk by faith is part of how we care for one another as followers of Jesus. As we pray for and with others, read Scripture together and remind one another of God’s faithfulness, the Holy Spirit works to make us look a little more like Jesus.
This is the kind of spiritual care Jesus demonstrated as he taught and shared life with His disciples. Through His discipleship, His followers learned to follow His example and make more disciples who did the same (Matthew 28:19-20).
At Compassion, our desire to see children released from poverty comes first and foremost from our desire to follow Jesus. As we learn to care for people as Jesus did, we come to see that each person’s needs are different. Some may lack practical essentials like food and water, while others may be seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Many lack healthy relationships and community. And all of us need the hope that only comes from a life rooted in God.
That’s why Compassion’s approach to child development is holistic. When a child’s physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and spiritual needs are met, they can thrive and experience life as God intends.
Through local churches around the world, children are receiving this kind of care every day. Sponsorship is one way we can come alongside them, helping to meet their practical needs and provide opportunities for flourishing. This is what it looks like to care for one another as Jesus did.
Care for a child’s physical, cognitive, socio-emotional and spiritual needs…
…and help them experience life as God intended.
Curious about the specific needs Compassion helps care for? Check out Gifts of Compassion today.
