Show Your Love by Your Actions
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion, how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children let us not merely say that we love each other. Let us show love by our actions.” – 1John 3:17-18
I remember a time when I was a sister in need. At that time I belonged to a certain church and Christmas was on the way. My children at that time were young. A deacon came to me with a WalMart card and said to get the family stuff for Christmas. I felt so amazed. Why are they doing this? The answer? These folks loved me and wanted us to enjoy the holidays. I did not deserve such a generous gift, yet I sure did appreciate such help when we were down and out.
After Bill and I got on our financial feet we wanted to bless others like we had been blessed. You might call it passing on the love that we had received. After all, love is an action word, not just a pretty thing to say.
I remember a song from my past. “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Love should be like the neon sign of the church, brightly drawing the needy in rather than hiding from them. Quite often it is in our hour of need that we can be reached with the gospel. And among we the believers, well now, how do you tell the world about love if we do not love and care for our own brothers and sisters?
Let us not be selfish with what God has given to us. Our time has been given to us by our God, so we should use our time to serve him and one another. Money and resources cannot help you when you die. Use them for God’s glory rather than just holding on to them for dear life. And what about the spiritual gift you have been given, the talents Heavenly Father has given you, or perhaps that information you have that someone else needs?
We are known as the family of God. Should not family take care of family? And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, or will they?
These morning meditations written by Christian believer and author, Patricia Hawkins, offer them for your personal edification. You may contact Patricia at prayerpartnerpat@gmail.com.