“IF”–You Give Everything But Do Not Have Love

Ever heard the phrase, “attitude is everything”? It is generally used in situations where you are being inspired to do better – sporting event, scholastically, etc. Regardless, there is a lot of truth and depth to the phrase. There are tasks that I enjoy doing, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to do it because it is all about attitude.

When it comes to giving – money or yourself – that phrase also holds true. What is your attitude toward giving? Are you protective-conservative, protective-generous, or just generous?

Sunday, we looked at the last part of this series that dealt with giving all you have – possessions or yourself – but not giving it in love. One that gives, but in a showy or attention-seeking manner, gives without exhibiting love. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

• Why Give? ~ People have been made to feel guilty to give. Some feel cornered and there is no way out. Some prepare to set aside so much money to give to people/causes. There are so many worthy causes to give to in this world. Someone, some thing, somewhere need you – whether it is your money or your time/talents. May we take the time to think about why we’re giving. May the reason be as pure and caring toward the cause (not toward you) as possible.
• Give More ~ Just when it seems that there is nothing else to give, if you dig deep enough you will find that there is. The “extra” may not be in monetary value, but it would be measured in your time or talents. Look for ways to give a little extra to something else you feel passionate about.

Doing things out of guilt or obligation are not the means to be able to show love. Giving out of love is the only way to show love. It may sound simple but keep in mind attitude is everything!

“IF”…I Have Great Faith But Not Love

I remember when I was thinking about getting into preaching (which was the furthest from my career-intended mind) I was a bit naïve and ignorant. I didn’t have a clue what all was really involved, and the depth of that involvement. I knew that a preacher preached, worked in an office, married and buried people, visited people, taught classes, and counseled people.

These were many of the descriptions of what a preacher would do. They each took up varied amounts of his week. Many ministers are good at most of the properties and challenged by the rest.

There is a common ingredient that must be interlaced throughout it all, love. If a preacher has an ability to do all of these with great success, but not love, then it does him no good.

Sure, he may be able to externally perform them, but without much love for those who he is ministering to, the tasks are unimportant. That concept works with everyone and how they view love versus the various abilities they possess.

Sunday we looked at how faith without love does not profit us anything. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

• “Things” are not important ~ Most of us would like to have more “things” in life. Whether they were material things or abilities/talents. Having all the “things” in the world, but not love is meaningless and we should weigh it as that.
• Worthless is not Worthwhile ~ Though there are good things about having very little as it can humble us. Here being “nothing” is literally that. Being nothing is not of any aim for us. However, that is our destination if we do not have love.

Being able to love can be a tricky process. Taking the “softness” out and keeping it practical in all circles can take some time to understand what love actually entails. What is very important to recognize that no matter what we have or can do, if we don’t have love, it is worthless.

When it is Not Encouragement

Encouragement is one of the greatest things that the human heart/spirit can receive.  It lifts you up, it gives you a boost, and it energizes you.  Encouragement when you least expect it is probably one of the best forms.  An e-mail, a phone call, an out-of-the-blue interaction with someone, a card, a text, a comment on Facebook, etc.  These can all be ways people can use to encourage.  However there are ways that people may think they're encouraging when they are not.  That brings us to this week's quote...

Correction and encouragement given without love will not correct or encourage. ~ Joseph Simmons, aka "Rev Run"

In the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, in the Bible, we see the author, Paul, telling his recipients what love is not, before he says what love is.  He compares ones words to a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Describing how we can say one thing but are feeling another way we are just making a lot of noise.

I think there are people who may love but do not know how to encourage or correct. I know someone who sees me from time to time and will say "You're getting better and better all the time".  That phrase really annoys me, but I know that their "love" for me is there, they just don't know how to express encouragement any differently to me.

However, there are the others, who may try to correct or encourage but do not have love for you.  Their correction or encouragement is vain and does not accomplish its goal.  Maybe it is done out of anger or haste, where love may be present most of the time, but in these situations emotions are high enough that love is absent.  The next time you are thinking of encouraging or correcting, check the "how-much-do-you-care" meter before continuing with your words.

Lift someone up, put someone in their place, but do it all out of love and care!

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