Love Gives💕

Love Gives

Love eventually becomes visible.

We can speak beautifully about loving the church, but genuine love eventually finds an expression. It gives. It listens. It notices. It visits. It serves. It makes itself available.

The early church understood this.

When believers saw someone among them in need, they did not treat that person's need as somebody else's problem. They had begun to see one another as family, and family changes the way we respond to need.

When someone in your family is struggling, you do not always wait for them to announce their need publicly before you care. You notice. You ask questions. You make yourself available.

That is the kind of consciousness Scripture calls us towards.

Generosity is therefore much bigger than money. Of course, our resources matter, and Scripture repeatedly teaches us to give. But sometimes the most valuable thing you can give someone is your attention.

You can give someone your time.

You can listen to their tears.

You can visit someone who has become isolated.

You can encourage someone who is discouraged.

You can notice the person who seems to have disappeared from church and reach out.

You can quietly meet a need without waiting to be praised for it.

This is the practical nature of Christian love.

The world often teaches us to protect what belongs to us. Christ teaches us to hold our possessions, time and abilities with open hands.

Look around your church family. There are people carrying burdens you may know nothing about. Some are struggling financially. Some are lonely. Some need encouragement. Some simply need someone willing to listen.

Love pays attention.

Ask God to make you more observant. You may discover that there are opportunities to love all around you.

Prayer

Father, make me generous with what You have entrusted to me. Help me to notice the needs around me and respond without waiting to be asked. Teach me to give not only my resources but also my time, attention, presence and compassion. Amen.