You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13, NIV)
Today's speaker at Downline Women's Summit, Lysa TerKeurst, caught my attention when she said, "when I've done something for someone else, I like to be noticed and thanked." "Whereas," she continued, '"a wise-hearted woman has a servant's heart." Such a woman "tucks her quiet acts" of un-noticed areas of service, where only God sees. Not done for the eyes of others.
I imagined such gifts of love, in the area of financial service, being given anonymously. Without tangible reward---name on a plaque or thank you gift included when donation is given. Conviction!
Charitable type of love is in an overflow of one's love for the Lord which allows one to serve others well. It is not a love that needs credit.
Charity in the Hebrew is tzedakah---completely voluntary or a religious obligation---typically seen as a moral obligation, a charitable giving to be performed regardless of financial standing, even by poor people. A works-orientation of sorts.
These actions can certainly be seen as "acts" of charity BUT greater still are those same works which are done as an outpouring of love from God, Himself.
If one becomes more interested in keeping the commandments to establish one's own merit than in loving others, then the message is lost. Even if one serves others out of obligation to observe the law, then it is done for "self "rather than for the "others" one is appearing to serve. In such a way, that service fulfills one's own desires. According to the Greek translation, charity is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) BUT is fleshly service, "charity" without love? Charity without love, is that an oxymoron?
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