On LoveSample

Love Is an Investment 

Through Scripture and modern life, the nature, benefits, and manifestation of love are a vital part of being human. Maybe it is even the most crucial part of life, which is why we explore giving and receiving love.

The one chapter in the Bible that people use to reference love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. You have probably read it somewhere or heard somebody recite it at a wedding. This chapter in 1 Corinthians tells us why we should choose to love. It is truly inspirational and even romantic. It is also practical. There are moments when we become impatient and forget to choose love. We yell at a referee instead of keeping quiet. We lose it when our toddler asks us the same question for the thousandth time. The verses we read in 1 Corinthians 13 give us not only instruction but reasons to choose love.

Love is a sacrifice; it is also an investment that has a great return. Love is profitable. When we invest money in stocks, we sacrifice our ability to spend that money, but we are laying the foundation for our financial future. We are aware that making sacrifices in our spending will give us a profitable return later. Love is similar, except that when we invest in love, we always get an outstanding return. If we “invest” without love, we get worse than a bear market. The Scriptures say that if we do not have love, it profits us nothing. Nothing is a really bad type of profit. Paul says that even the greatest of all sacrificial actions are of no benefit without love. Feeding the poor is great, but if we do so without love, there is no return. Being a martyr is the ultimate sacrifice, but we gain no lasting benefit if we do it without love.

The Bible is the Living Word, the written truth that reflects reality. People pursue what they perceive to be in their best interest. Scripture is full of admonitions to inform us of what is true because God wanted us to gain understanding. None is greater than Paul’s admonition to love. Love is seeking the best for others. When we love, we also seek the best for ourselves. It is true because love is profitable to us. In giving love, we participate in the blessing of love. We receive as we give. It is a profit to all.