Love-ly!

There are things we may do out of duty or because they're expected of us. But, 1 Corinthians 13, known as the 'love chapter', suggests we approach the things we do differently.

1 Corinthians 1:3 says, 'If I give all I possess to the poor and give my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing' (NIV). If we volunteer at a shelter, pick up litter along the motorway or give away all our possessions, great. But if we do it begrudgingly or to build a good reputation, the Bible says we gain nothing. God isn't impressed with good deeds done to get praise. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 states: 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.' Jesus said, 'Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you' (Matthew 6:3 NCV). Let's keep our eye on Jesus when we're doing that good stuff, not on our popularity ratings. We are made to love unselfishly.

What if, when we did good deeds, people saw God at work in their lives, and praised God for it, instead of praising us? Wouldn't that, actually, be love-ly?



So what now? If you can, next time you hear about a friend who is in financial need, give them money to help. With it, leave them a note telling them that it's from Jesus, and leave quietly. That would be love-ly!





— SCRIPTURE —

'If I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal.' 1 Corinthians 13:1 GWT
— SOULFOOD —

1 Sam 4-7, Matt 26:30-46, Ps 52 , Pro 21:17