Stepping in to serve others in their most vulnerable moments—victims of hunger, war, disaster—is like stepping onto holy ground, stepping into God’s presence.

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

When you step onto holy ground, the standards are high. Think of Moses and the burning bush; shoes came off. Priests going into the temple; there’s a strict protocol. This isn’t a perfect analogy (since the curtain has been torn), but stick with us.

We work with humanitarian and disaster situations around the world. Fortunately, people have collaborated to set some high, helpful standards to follow in humanitarian settings.

One important example is Sphere standards: humanitarian principles and minimum standards for (a) water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion, (b) food security and nutrition, (c) shelter and settlement, and (d) health.

If you’re helping people in these ways, you’d better—at minimum—be this good at helping. People deserve no less.

Another is the ICRC standards that articulate ten commitments. Two examples: (2) “Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.” (9) “We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources.”

What are your principles and standards for helping others? Where do you go to think about this question and find best practices?

What are your principles and standards for helping others? Where do you go to think about this question and find best practices?

These examples, and the links, could be helpful. Though they for more extreme settings, the ideas might spur good conversation in your organization, your church, your giving, your helping. It’s vital to consider how we help others and step into that place of serving others and (according to Matthew 25) potentially encountering God. This is one good way.

Then, as one of our students said at the end of a class talking about these humanitarian standards, comes the next question: How do we not only meet these standards but then keep growing to exceed them as people following Jesus in the way of holy love?

Kent Annan and Jamie Aten co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers in-person and online certificates and degrees. For more information, visit HDI.