As children of God, we are encouraged to be generous, loving others and sharing with others as God has provided for us. But something goes wrong when our generosity becomes nothing more than an opportunity to showcase our pride and our ego. Little Jack Horner patted himself on the back and remarked what a good boy he was, never complimenting the baker of the plum pie he so rudely stuck his thumb into. And what benefit do we get when we openly look for fame and acclaim for being generous with that which was not ours to begin with and we can never take with us. It’s not unusual to desire acknowledgement for doing something noble, but when what we do out of generosity is done merely for the purpose of proclaiming our own worthiness for having done it, we lack the humility to acknowledge that “All things come from thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.”
On the other hand, to proceed from the place that God is our provider, we are compelled to admit that what we have done by showing generosity to others is actually to have displayed God’s love and generosity to us. It takes pride and ego out of the equation and replaces it with humility and genuine sharing. So, we may give away all we have, but if love — true, unconditional love is not the motivating factor, then we’ve gained nothing by our generosity. Love and love alone prevails in our acts and actions of love toward one another.
• How can we ensure that our acts of generosity are motivated by love and not personal or public acknowledgment alone?
• What is the difference between giving to be acknowledged by others and giving to be acknowledged by God?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious God, humble me that my giving in all situations is motivated by a response of unconditional love looking for nothing in return.

There are faith communities today that place great emphasis on the value of speaking in tongues as an authentic indication that God is present among and with God’s people. There’s also significant weight given to one who is called to prophesy in the church. While speaking in tongues may well be a holy conversation between a person and God and prophesying may be a gift of grace to uplift and encourage the people, we are often disconnected from the temporary nature of their existence. And there are some indications that they each have their appropriate place and time. But their time and place are both short lived. And the danger comes in believing that either of these two gifts are more important than the unconditional love that impacts people’s lives eternally when they are loved beyond their hurt, loved beyond their disappointment, loved beyond their guilt, or loved beyond their ability to understand why they are loved. Not everyone has the ability to interpret someone speaking in tongues. And it appears the prophesying is a community effort of support and agreement between those who are present and convict a believer of the reality of God (1 Cor. 14:24-25). But all can understand unconditional love, not by words alone, but by actions. All can understand the reality of God, not by words alone, but by the actions of unconditional love. So, God’s unconditional love is really the more excellent way of enabling others to see God, experience God, and to know God.
• What particular value does speaking in tongues or prophesying have compared to loving someone unconditionally?
• Why would you say that loving someone is more excellent than speaking in tongues or prophesying?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious God, help me to keep in perspective the greater value of loving someone unconditionally and the ability to speak to You personally as true expressions of who You are.

There aren’t many of us who wouldn’t desire to have more faith. Now, I’m talking about the kind of faith that does — in fact — move mountains. I’m almost certain that when Jesus talked about faith that moves mountains, he was speaking metaphorically. He was perhaps talking about those mountains that occasionally show up in our lives that we’d like to see moved, or perhaps those small obstacles in our lives that appear as big as mountains but could easily be taken down by faith. If we could do that, I’m almost certain that our egos would be swelling to unimaginable proportions. It reminds me of a story I once heard about pride.

A newly elected politician was visiting Washington, D.C., to get acquainted. He was visiting In the home of one of the ranking Senators who was trying to interpret the wonder of the Capitol. As they stood looking out over the Potomac River, an old deteriorating log floated by In view on the river. The old-timer said, “This city is like that log out there.” The fledgling politician asked, “How’s that?” The senator answered, “Well, there are probably more than one hundred thousand grubs, ants, bugs, and critters on that old log floating down the river. And I imagine every one of them thinks that he’s steering it.”

It’s amazing how pride can inflate one’s ego to the point of believing that faith in what we do makes things are possible. And while faith in and of itself is important, the power of our faith is so temporary. It will last only until it’s not necessary and we stand in the presence of our Christ, and — as the song says, “Our faith shall be sight … .” It’s a good thing to rely on faith while avoiding letting our faith accomplishments go to our heads. That kind of humble faith will always be a part of our relationship with God. But it’s better to rely on the more excellent way of God’s eternal love which never fades or dies, even in the presence of the God in whom we have placed our faith.

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Merciful God, grant that my faith, in whatever amount I have, will always be motivated by the eternal more excellent power of Your love to change the world.