This month, we honor love, which I challenge you to consider in its relationship to the act of giving.
I invite you to use these questions as you ponder this relationship:
Do you think the secret to life could be: to love GIVING? Are the gifts we are given by God (including time, talent and treasure) offered to us so that we can give them to others?
I think so….and here’s why.
I truly believe LOVE is actually about GIVING. I visualize it as this 3-word symbol:
To me, this symbol represents the following: God is love, and love is God. The ultimate example of the gift of love is from God. He gave us his only son, because He loves us. Therefore we have proof that love is giving, and giving is proof of love.
Love is often what compels us to give, and love is what we feel in our hearts as a reward of giving. With God in our hearts, it is obvious why we feel this tender loving sensation when we give, because the Holy Spirit resides there to render this feeling.
Without giving, would there even be the existence of love? I think not since giving seems to demonstrate love. And this would apply for any of the four types of love (eros, storge, philia, and agape).
No matter the type of love, when giving to others,we are actually giving to God. He loves this, and shows us by blessing us in return.
We must remember the words of the Lord Jesus who said that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35.) This is why, in any situation, we should always aim to offer as much as we can. In doing so, there comes an understanding that what we offer and give of ourselves, not grudgingly or of necessity, is an act of love and service to God. In every instance, the person we are serving in the relationship was created in the image of God – and therefore an extension of our Lord.
We have an opportunity each day to let our light shine and to glorify God. Although, our works are not what get us into Heaven, we pray “our works find favor in [His] Your sight.”
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10) God is indeed well pleased with our sacrifices – after all, that is the basis for the love he showed us through His son.
If you see a brother or sister in need, show compassion and love. If you have much to offer or give – show love and share it. One of our favorite verses at Christian Kitchens is: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
And as we embark upon our works this month, please also meditate on this: “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)