Golden Nugget: Love cannot be learned apart from giving.

Daily Message:

In his book The Mystery of Marriage, Mike Mason called love “an earthquake that relocates the center of the universe.” The human heart, apart from the reorienting love of Jesus, very naturally sets its focus on “getting.” We seek our own protection, security, and comfort. But God’s love and heart are found in the earth-shaking truth of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (emphasis added).

Love cannot be separated from giving. By giving those things that are important to us—things like my time, my money, my energy, my own temporary happiness—I learn to love as God loves. As my giving enriches others in their need, I am also enriched, and God’s love richly flows. 

As Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Consider This:

• What things (money, time, material possessions, and abilities) do you have the most difficult time giving away?
• What is one way you can share something of value with someone else this week?

Take Action:

Take an inventory of what you have and divide it into four categories: money, time, material possessions, and abilities. At the bottom of each category, write ways that God can use each of them. Pray and ask God to show you who needs something from each category. Make a distribution plan over the next ninety days.