LOVE AND CHRISTIAN – “HELPING THE POOR”

Whoever gives to the poor, is respected a lot, in the world. The Bible also commends, those who are kind and generous towards, the poor and the  needy – Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Helping the poor and the needy, is a central theme of both, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
– “11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” – Deuteronomy 15:11
– “17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.” – Proverbs 19:17
– “21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” – Matthew 19:21

Let us read, 1 Corinthians 13:3, and see what we can learn from it, about love that the LORD speaks about.
– “3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3

Sacrificial help of the poor, by meeting their material needs, though good and commendable, yet it is useless and worthless, if “agape love” is not the foundation. Without love, all such great work fizzles out, and becomes meaningless. “Each thing described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 is a good thing. Tongues are good, prophecy and knowledge and faith are good, sacrifice is good. But love is so valuable, so important, that apart from it, every other good thing is useless.” [Enduring Word Commentary]

What kind of love drives us to live in this world? What is the nature of love that guides us to act in regards to others? Is this love, that we have for others, measure up to the standard, that the LORD is talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? If it does not, it profits nothing dear friend…it is worthless.

Love, as described and defined by the LORD in His Word is the standard for our Christian life. The love which the LORD demonstrated, in sending His Son, to suffer and die on the cross of Calvary, is the kind of love, that is expected of us. Let us earnestly seek the LORD, and urge Him, to grant us His grace, so that, we live, and love, as He desires for us. Even so the LORD help us.