DRAWING NEAR
August 10
Benevolence Without Love
"If I give all my possessions to feed the poor . . . but do not
have love, it profits me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3).
Love is characterized by self-sacrifice, but not all self-sacrifice
is an act of love.
If you've ever donated to your church or another charitable
organization out of obligation, peer pressure, legalism, guilt, a
desire for recognition, or simply a tax deduction, you know what it
means to give without love. In our society it's easy to fall prey to
that kind of giving because the needs are so great and fund raisers
appeal to every conceivable motive. In addition, many cults and false
religions encourage the giving up of possessions and other
sacrificial gestures as a supposed means of earning God's favor. But
God is more interested in why you give than what you give.
Paul's hypothetical illustration in 1 Corinthians 13:3 is of someone
who sacrificed everything he had to feed the poor. The Greek word
translated "to feed" means "to dole out in small quantities."
Apparently this guy didn't simply write out a check for a food
distribution program; he was personally involved in a long-term,
systematic program that would eventually consume every resource he
had.
Paul doesn't mention motives--only that this person lacked love.
Consequently, the benefits of his benevolence were limited to the
physical realm. Any spiritual benefits were forfeited.
Jesus, making a similar point, said, "Beware of practicing your
righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no
reward with your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 6:1). If your motive
for giving is to gain the approval of men, their accolades will be
your only reward. If you're motivated by love for God, He will reward
you abundantly (vv. 2-4).
When you give to the Lord, what is your motive? Do you want others to
think more highly of you? Do you feel obligated? Those are subtle
influences, so be sure to guard your motives carefully. Remember, the
only acceptable motive is love.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you sensitive to the needs of others,
enabling you always to give out of genuine love.
For Further Study:
Read Luke 18:9-14.
How did the Pharisee's prayer differ from the tax-gatherer's?
How did God respond to each prayer?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Matthew 6:1-4
6:1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men,
to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in
heaven.
2 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet
before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have
their reward.
3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing,
4 "that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others:
10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the
other a tax collector.
11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank
You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers,
or even as this tax collector.
12 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as
raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be
merciful to me a sinner!'
14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather
than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted."
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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