Giving as an expression of love

There are many reasons why people give of their time, energy, and money. Some people do give out of love. They are moved by a need or an inner prompting to genuinely help others. But others give out of compulsion, guilt or pride.

Amy Carmichael said, "You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving.'" At its very core, love has the desire to give. When we love someone we want to give something to them. Usually, it is something that represents a part of our lives that will make a difference to them. If we claim to love someone but do not feel the desire to give — then something is wrong. Love, without the desire to give, is either faulty or a figment of one’s imagination.

The apostle John would take it one step further. True love is evident in not just the desire to give, but the act of giving. He writes in 1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

That giving is an expression of love was amply demonstrated by God himself. We read in John 3:16, "God so loved the world that He gave..." In Romans 5:8 we read, "But God demonstrates His love in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." The evidence of love is in the action of giving.

When God’s love touches our hearts, we have the desire to respond by giving. Just as He gave to demonstrate His love for us, when we love God, it is expressed through giving.

In the Bible passage, we read about an incident where a poor widow offered two copper coins. Monetarily what she gave was of little value. But she gave all that she had, as an expression of trust, love and devotion and Jesus approved that offering.

Prayer: Lord, Help me to give generously, as You have given to me. Amen