Avoiding a ‘Savior Complex’ while Serving

Rethinking the ‘Savior Complex’

A close friend and I were just discussing the idea of a ‘savior complex’, and I had a similar chat with my sister not too long before that. For this reason, I’ve decided to study more and discover whether there is a more biblical approach to service. People can accuse others of having a ‘savior complex’ when they want to shift the focus of attention away from their own lack of service and onto someone else. In my experience, some Christians feel threatened when people like me or others work toward establishing God’s justice and rebuilding His kingdom in ways that challenge their own Christlike walk. Even if this is the case, we need to examine our own hearts to learn more about what drives us and to evaluate our viewpoints.

As I pondered about this topic, I have a short story that could illustrate how we ought to think about ourselves in relation to our service.

Story: Who Am I?

Every month, on the first Saturday, David eagerly went to a homeless shelter in the city’s slums to prepare and serve tacos. He was a dedicated volunteer with a passion for helping the less fortunate, and he enjoyed serving alongside his church friends. David had a comfortable life, a loving family, and a steady job. He believed in giving to the community and felt compelled to spend his free time serving as an expression of God’s love. To him, it was a way to make a tangible difference in the world.

As David and his friends sliced the vegetables, prepared the tables, and served the tacos, they felt like a well-oiled machine. David greeted each unhoused person who arrived with a warm smile, serving them with dignity and respect. Many of the unhoused guests appreciated David’s efforts and thanked him as they went through the taco line.

Amid the busy and slightly chaotic room, David noticed a man named Matt, a rugged character with a scruffy beard and worn-out clothes. David saw that whenever a table was unoccupied, Matt would go over with a cloth and clean it before new visitors sat down.

“Hey, you don’t have to do that,” David said to Matt, worried that he might feel obligated to help clean up. Matt paused, his eyes meeting David’s. “I know,” he replied, “I just wanna make folks here feel like they belong and matter, you know. Like I do.”

David pondered Matt’s response. Unlike himself, Matt knew how those in the room felt. He would join them in a large room of folding cots for one night or look for an empty bench along one of the nearby streets. As Matt cleaned the tables, he was not taking part in a community service project to feel like an engaged small group, he was serving as he simply wanted to offer a slice of humanity that he had experienced from those who greeted and acknowledged the ‘humanity’ in him.

The focus of this story is not on physical service but on considering the spiritual perspective of self and service. In the story, David noticed individuals less fortunate than himself and was willing to immerse himself in their broken world as a volunteer. He saw himself as above them, as someone stooping down to serve them. The homeless volunteer, Matt, saw himself as a welcome guest in need of a meal and served as an outpouring of what he had received. He thought nothing of himself, only desiring for others to feel the way he does. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3 NRSV).” Paul says, “it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me” (Romans 7:14-20 NRSV), indicating that he saw sin as distinct from his spiritual self, and while freely admitting sin dwelled within him, it was not part of his desire or identity. It’s better for us to drop the facade of perfection in church, in service, and in life as a whole and instead acknowledge that we are imperfect human beings who worship a holy and restorative God who longs to heal us.

Recognizing Our Brokenness

The first step in avoiding the ‘savior complex’ is to acknowledge our own brokenness. As individuals, we are flawed, imperfect, and prone to making mistakes. When we serve others who are in need of a physician (Luke 5:31), it is far more difficult to develop a ‘savior complex’ if we have a clear understanding that we, too, are also in need of the same physician.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 NRSV) Following Christ’s example, we are to be meek servants who do not take upon ourselves the weight of rescuing the world or the pride of having our lives put together and being pillars of God’s kingdom. We bring the gospel and are ready to serve, not as heroes but as brothers and sisters who have experienced God’s kindness and can’t help but proclaim it to the world.

Embracing Humility

Those who have put their faith in Jesus and been transformed by Him are called to serve others (Matthew 25:34-36). But we are also called to serve others with no thought of personal gain (Philippians 2:3-5). Humility is a key virtue in spiritual development and community building. It’s the recognition that we are not the ultimate solution but a part of the larger tapestry of God’s Kingdom. When we approach our role with humility, we become open to learning from others, seeking guidance, and collaborating with diverse voices. This approach fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, rather than one person/church group attempting to be the savior.

Serving others, whether it be the hungry, the incarcerated, or refugees, should be done with the attitude that we are no better than they are and that our service to them is an act of devotion to God. Neither should we look at those that appear to serve less and be irritated that they have not given of their time, money, and comforts like we have, because this reduces our service to some obligation that we feel we have. Also, we are told to give alms in secret (Matthew 6:3-4) so we should be careful not to judge others.

A refugee family is not a project, but people we can walk alongside and help, while also being filled with joy through friendship, experiencing a new culture, and witnessing the amazing diversity of God’s creation. When we take in an orphaned child, give food to the needy, or welcome a refugee into our community, we shouldn’t seek recognition or importance. Is not the orphan worthy of a loving family, the hungry deserving of food, or the refugee worth giving a safe place to? When we are transformed by Christ, these actions become automatic; if we saw a kid drowning next to us in the water, it would be ridiculous to do anything except help them. We don’t try to make ourselves out as heroes, but we practice our faith in community with those we serve.

Acting with Compassion

We were orphans adopted by God (Ephesians 1:5), lost sheep brought home to His flock (Luke 15:6), and ill people in need of a physician (Isaiah 53:4). Pure religion is described as caring for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27). We are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). In Titus 3:14 (NRSV), the people are asked to “learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs.” When we are not seeking to be a hero or feel the burden to right every wrong, we can find fulfillment in the service we provide to others around us. When we realize we are just one builder in God’s Kingdom, we are freed of the burden of such a grand project, needing only to work diligently where we are. Knowing that our burden is light (manageable) reduces the risk of burnout and exhaustion, as well as being a reminder to be humble as we are only one small part of the greater body of Christ. Rather than pointing out your small contribution, join hands with your neighbors and rejoice in God’s redemptive purpose for this world, a plan worth more than the sum of its parts. Serve without reservation but maintain humility and keep in mind that we are all in desperate need of Christ (all equally 100%).