Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 11, 2019
If I gave everything I have to poor people, and if I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel but didn’t love others, it would be of no value whatever. 1 Corinthians 13:3, The Living Bible
Why do I give money to help a person through a rough time? To make him feel like he owes me something or because I see him like Jesus, and I want to love him in his time of need. Why do I volunteer my time to a church or charity? For the approval of others or out of love and gratitude for what my heavenly Father has done for me. My motive in giving never ceases to be suspect. Only through the power of the Spirit at work in my heart, purging away pride and fear, am I left with the residue of love. Generosity motivated by love is invaluable—without love—worthless.
Paul’s writings on love are probably the most quoted literature ever on this topic. With the cutting argument of a prosecuting attorney he begins with motive—why you give is more important than how and what you give. Unless love is the beginning and end of your reason for generous giving, you may receive earthly accolades but heaven will be eerily silent, only the sound of disapproval will resonate from your works. Better to give a little in love than a lot for recognition.
“And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy—the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, TLB).
A great starting point to giving motivated by love is offering our gifts to God in worship and thanksgiving. A gift first given to Jesus recognizes and honors Him as our Savior, Lord, Provider, Lover and Faithful Friend. The Lord takes our living sacrifice and brings life to other lives. A colleague in need of faith, God can bring salvation through our generosity motivated by love. A fearful and fatigued friend, Christ can extend hope and endurance through our generosity motivated by love. A relative overcome by sorrow and grief, Jesus our sympathizing Savior can bring comfort through our generosity motivated by love. We first give our loving gift to God.
Why do you give? Ask your heavenly Father to give you a heart of love, so you give out of a heart of love. Yes, Jesus expects you to give, so comply cheerfully, not begrudgingly or out of obligation. Raise your reason for giving to the rarified air of love alone. Love trusts the Lord to apply a gift toward its divine purpose. Love believes God can multiply a gift way beyond human capabilities. So rest, enjoy and watch worthy results from your loving, generous gift.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me a heart of love so I am able to give out of love, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Am I certain that my acts of generosity are motivated by love?
Related Reading
Matthew 6:1, 23:23; Luke 19:8; Acts 2:45
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