Giving that is motivated by love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ...... Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.
-1 John 3:16-20


After many heart breaks, distance, and lies it can sometimes be difficult to continue to show love to someone who doesn't show much interest or love to you or your family. You sometimes want to throw in the towel, because you wouldn't need the towel to wipe the sweat if you weren't trying so hard. Then Jesus slaps me in the face, reminds me it is not about me, and says who do you think you are?? You don't always show me love, yet I love you unconditionally. He laid down his life for us: those that don't know him, those that that ignore him, those that do not recognize him, those who blasphemy him, those who know him yet don't always show it, for all mankind. He didn't do it saying I'll love you if you love me. He loved because he is love. If we are to be called children of God, to live as he lived, we need to be love....being love means sacrifice. We have to put our faith in Christ and step out of our comfort. For me that meant pushing my pride and broken heart a side, loving even when I felt no love in return. This was discomforting and scary for me. I have to believe that God will use me through this and that he will be glorified.

I planned to send a gift but I hadn't sent it yet because my giving was not motivated by sincere love. The package was sitting there labeled as "this is what Jesus would do." I can now say my packaged has been sent and it was labeled "with sincere love." Frances Chan says it quite well "Giving that is not motivated by love is worth nothing." Paul says from this kind of giving we "gain nothing"; however when we give out of love, we gain much.

I don't want to be prideful, selfish, or discontent. I want to love unselfishly and be filled with peace. I want to be closer to Jesus. If by chance you are reading this, and you know who you are, I am sorry and I love you!