A few weeks back this thought came to me, “Is there always someone worse off then me?” Now that thought or question may seem simple, but I feel that it carries a tremendous amount of weight to us as humans. If we stop… and truly think about that question, how much of a different direction can that point us in?

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 (AKA, help those in need)

So what is a “low position?” Because what is low to me may not be low to someone else. But what about that “low person,” is there someone lower than them? This thought can keep going and going and going… but I think it boils down to perspective.

Without a doubt, I’d say that myself (and probably everyone reading this) would say that their is someone in a “lower position” than us. Whether here in the U.S. or elsewhere, most likely someone is doing “worse” than us. But just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what defines a position?

Sometimes I catch myself thinking… “I wish my family and I could be in a house instead of an apartment…” or “it would be nice to have that perfect 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday job…” or “new car, I’d love to be able to have a brand new car…”

The problem I find with that way of thinking is… number one, it’s selfish. It talks about what I want and not what God wants. And number two, based on Jesus’ teachings, this could be dangerous.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

So maybe we have it backwards… maybe the ones we deem “lower” are actually “higher” than we are. We have our ambitions and what we want ahead of God and what He wants, AKA an idol. Also with this “stuff” we have collected and gathered, that is our treasure. Do we put our faith and trust more into that earthly treasure than we do in God?

Either way you look at that question, “Is there always someone worse off then me?” The answer will most likely be yes, so either help the lower or strive to be like the lower. Either way you look at it and answer the question, it undoubtedly will bring you closer to God!