Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 13:3
God had Paul write this in 1 Corinthians 13:3: “And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” Think about people who donate possessions, property, money, and other things to help the poor. Most people would see that as noble, honorable, kind, compassionate, even loving, but God said that if it is not accompanied by His love it profits the giver nothing at all. God has taught us to give of all that He has given us, but remember what God says about giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So, we’re to give, but we’re to be cheerful givers. That cheer comes from God’s love. Without God’s love, our giving can be done quite selfishly, where we seek glory and recognition which we never deserve. Everything we have is a gift from God, as God reminds us in James 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” So, even what we have we did not earn on our own, but through God’s provision we have what we need. We must be filled with His love so that we don’t miss His blessing.
Challenge & Application
Why do people give of their money, food, and possessions but still do not possess God’s love?
What’s the difference between giving with no love and giving being accompanied by God’s love?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!