I Corinthians 13:4-7 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up . . . Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
I Corinthians 12 is about what God has given us (spiritual gifts); chapter 13 is about how we should give what we’ve been given. In other words, charity is what I give to others. This well-known chapter about charity (love) is so refreshing and so thought provoking.
For example, verse 4 says, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind. . . .” At the end of the day, it may be easy to say that you’ve been kind. But being kind after you have suffered long? That is a horse of a different color and much more difficult! The verse continues by saying that charity does not envy or puff up self. That is enough to keep me busy for a while; and that is only one verse!
Haven’t we all been to a restaurant where the employees do not “buy in”? Poor service, apathy, and laziness overshadow the food, no matter how good it tastes! What you have is God’s; what you do with what you have is your responsibility. You need to “buy in” to God’s type of love. How does your charity rate on God’s scale?
Verse 5 gives a couple of good points about charity to consider as well. “Is not easily provoked” and “thinketh no evil” mean our typical conversations with others do not meet God’s standard. Are you easily “set off” (easily provoked)? Have you ever stopped listening to what a person was saying because you already knew what you are going to do anyway (thinking evil)? My, how I Corinthians 13 would change our lives!
Do you think God is ever impressed by what He has given us? That would be silly, wouldn’t it? It was His to begin with, and He is the One who gave it to us. How foolish to think that God will be impressed! God is not looking to be impressed; He is looking for Christians to have true charity–I Corinthians 13 charity.
True charity “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” May God help each of us to give to others in the way we should today.
Prayer Requests:
1. A word from Bro. Rice regarding a special project need this month
2. Deaf Rally this weekend in Arlington, TX
3. West Branch Men on the Move Conference this weekend in Williams, AZ