Full Pockets, Empty Hearts.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (First Corinthians 13:3)

At the end of yesterday’s post we brought up the issue of those who do good deeds, but lack the compassion and love that is modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul, in a letter to the church in Corinth, addresses this concern. In the fourteenth chapter he says, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy…everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.” (see First Corinthians 14:1-3)

Our question for today: Are we following the way of love? In First Corinthians we encounter the church-life of a group of believers who were busy doing lots of "good" things, but who lacked love. The lack of love evidenced itself in all sorts of ways: people were boasting about which apostle was their “favorite” (First Corinthians 1); people were lax in modeling godly conduct in cases of sexual immorality and legal disputes (First Corinthians 5 and 6); people were insensitive to the weaknesses of their fellow Christians (First Corinthians 8); people were reluctant to give in support of Paul’s ministry (First Corinthians 9); people were dabbling in idolatry even as they claimed to embrace Christ as Lord (First Corinthians 10); people were taking communion irreverently (First Corinthians 11). Though the church was strong in numbers and expressive in worship, the church was called to become strong in its demonstration of the love of God. The authentic expression of His love would be the means through which the church was strengthened, encouraged, and comforted. It was their remedy for the sickness of "affluenza": full pockets, but empty hearts.

If we long to gain the commendation of God, and if we long to give support to the work of the church, then let us pray that our hearts are grounded and growing in the love of God.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.