Love Gives





John 3:16:
"For God so loved the world that He gave . . .


Galatians 2:20: “. . . I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Ephesians 5:25: “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her”


Love is only expressed through giving. If there is no giving, there is no evidence that love exists. The only proof of love is giving. Giving is the action that demonstrates love.


So, the measure of your giving is the measure of your love. The more you give -- of yourself, your time, your attention, your affection, your patience, your treasure -- the more you love. This is what Jesus meant in John 15:13.

John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Why did Jesus say there was no greater love than to give your life? Because you can't give any more. That's total commitment!

So, whenever you see "love" in a sentence, you may substitute "giving" and express essentially the same meaning.

John 13:35: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

By understanding that love results in giving, we see that Jesus indicated His disciples would be known for their giving. We are to be famous for our giving! This is the way Jesus indicated people would know His true followers: by their giving. (Not our fighting, our preaching, or even our correct doctrine.)

We see in the early days of the church, this is exactly what happened.

ACTS 4:34-35: Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.


Don't think that your gifts should only go to churches and preachers. Jesus made it clear that giving to any believer was the same as giving to Him.

Matthew 25:40: "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

But God has not called us to give to others just so we could end up poor, also. NO! God has promised to multiply what we give, so we will have more to give in the future.

Luke 6:38: "Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: Remember this -- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. " 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.


So, based on God's promises, we can give to others in faith, with confidence that God will continue to supply all we need.


Ephesians 4:28: Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

(This verse gives us an idea of how giving was paramount in the thinking of early Christians.)

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.


If you desire to follow Jesus, love (giving) is not optional.


Comments

  1. I am of views that love gives but love is not all about giving. Some of the problems with relationship has to do with equating love with materialism. Giving as it were should therefore not be equated in material term. You can give anything..even love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I agree with you and I must say the type of giving I described is not all about materialism.

    You can give love, like you said, you can give your time - attention, care; you can give your heart - compassion, you can give yourself - go to any length for people, advice, encourage; you can give money, clothes, food, etc; And in doing all that and more, you're definitely loving.

    Love should give! Who will say I love you without knowing how to give?

    If your parents want to show how much they love you, they will give you their time, advice, heart, money, food, clothes, and all there's to give in the name of love.

    Do you get me?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, you are right. The reason for outlining the materialism has to do with my observation all these while. Most people thinking "giving" is only expressed in monetary term. They therefore base their love and eerything on it.

    I have also read many case where relationship was damaged because one partner refuse to buy gift.

    We must all promote the kind of giving you are talking about so that we can have a great community.

    Kudos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks.

    Any relationship that breaks because gifts (material gifts) are not exchanged is not matured and shouldn't even exist in the first place.

    I'm glad you share my views.

    Keep loving. Keep giving.

    ReplyDelete
  5. True enough...
    I only think material giving should be very well encouraged. It aint that it's the key to it all but it's very important if the resources are available. It doesn't have to be a diamond ring or a gold sceptre... something to show one's thoughtful is okay.
    Like I said, It aint like it should be material based though...
    The heart is the first and most important thing to be given...
    Also... giving is meant to be a 2 way thing. I'm not saying give with expectations of recieving back. Give your heart without expecting too much back and you'll live longer.
    Mario

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks. I want to believe this is Shola. I appreciate your comment. Hope you're going to give her your heart sha.

    ReplyDelete

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