1 Corinthians_13

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Observation - What does it say?

This has become one of the most famous chapters in all of the Bible; quoted at most weddings and portions of it are found hanging on many living room walls; it has been dubbed “The Love Chapter.” And it’s famous for a reason. Love is a word we throw out all over the place. “I love my wife,” “I love pizza,” “I love the beach.” But what does love really mean? What is it? Here we find what it is. And more than that, how important it is. 

Understanding - What does it mean?

Often times I’ll find myself doing the right thing, but not necessarily for the right reason. I’ll give to someone because I feel like I should, not because I love the person I’m giving to. I’ll sacrifice what I want for someone else so that I don’t have to hear them complain, not because I love them. But there is no gain, no reward, for me in any of those situations! Why? I'm doing the right thing, aren't I?

What matters to God isn’t just what you do, it’s the heart with which you do it. 

Love is what makes our voice pleasing and powerful; it’s what makes us something, valuable; it’s what leads to great reward.

Life Application

Ask God to fill us with more of his heart! 

God, please fill us with your heart of love. A heart that so loves you and so loves others to the point that verses 4-6 describe our lives and actions. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and have no reward because my heart wasn’t right. Please change our hearts where they need to be changed! Amen.

- Levi Thompson