Giving and love

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.   Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.   Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 2 Corinthians 8:22-24

Let everything be done in love. Let the love of Christ motivate you. Love the brethren. Love God and love others.  The greatest of these is love.

How do we prove our love?

In this case we prove our love by our willingness to give. Not coincidentally, I think, there is another time when we see love and money in the same context. ‘The love of money is the root of all evil.’

We can’t love God and our stuff at the same time. If we love God and others we have no problem giving to God and His work. If we love money we won’t give it away.

So we can prove our love in a real and tanglible way – we prove our love by giving of ourselves to others. In this context we prove our love by getting out our wallets and giving to God’s work.

If our giving is an indication of our love, how are we loving?