What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: ""Let each not look only at his own, but also at what belongs to others." What does this mean?"
Answer
This exhortation means that believers should follow the example of Jesus Christ, who left His divine position to serve humanity in deep humility. It is about overcoming selfishness and placing the welfare and needs of others above one's own interests, rather than merely seeking personal advantage. Those who live by this heavenly principle find true joy in becoming a blessing to others with their resources and influence.
Christ's Example in Humility
»Paul admonishes us: “Let each not look only at his own, but also at what serves the other.” He urges us to imitate the life of the great example, and to possess the mindset “that which was also in Christ Jesus: who, when He was in the form of God, did not consider it a robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant, becoming like man; and when He assumed the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” The apostle dwells point by point so that our mind may grasp and fully comprehend the wonderful humility of the Savior for the sake of sinners.«
Selflessness in Service to God
»When Christ and His glory are first, and self‑love is subsumed in love for the souls for whom Christ died, then no worker will be so engrossed in one branch of the work that he loses sight of the significance of every other. It is selfishness that leads people to think that the particular part of the work in which they are engaged is the most important of all.«
Happiness in Service to Others
»God places upon all His followers the duty to bless others with their influence and resources... When one works for others, one will experience a sweet satisfaction, an inner peace that will be a sufficient reward. If they are moved by the high and noble desire to do good to others, they will find true happiness in the faithful fulfillment of life’s many duties. This will bring more than an earthly reward; for every faithful, self‑less fulfillment of duty is noticed by the angels and shines in the record of life.«
Self‑Examination Instead of Criticizing Others
»Every person who strives to overcome will have to wrestle with his own weaknesses. Yet it is so much easier for people to see the faults of their brothers than their own, that they should be much more diligent and critical toward themselves than toward others.«
Devotion for the Welfare of the Brethren
»Some have actually been deprived of the means necessary for the welfare of their families, and some even of the life‑essential things to help you, and you have accepted it. Paul writes to his Philippian brothers: “Let each not look only at his own, but also at what serves the other.” He also writes to his Corinthian brothers: “No one should seek his own, but what benefits the other.”«
- Selflessness and Following Christ
- Humility and Service to the Neighbor
- Overcoming Selfishness
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
