"Love...does not seek its own...." (1 Cor. 13:5) "Doesn't think about itself" (GWT)
A psychiatrist of many years ago said, "I suppose all the ills of human personality can be traced back to one thing, not understanding the meaning of the phrase, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Far too many preachers, and most everyone, have fallen into the cliche trap by propagating this as relating to money only. "It is more blessed to give than to receive", is the Biblical definition of love.
John 3 says, "God loved the world this way: He gave...." Romans 5 tells us, "God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...." Our text says, "Love...doesn't think about itself." Galatians 2 says, "I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Love? "....do good.., expecting nothing in return." (Luke 6)
Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver me and Your Church from translating Your Words from our cultures rather than from Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
