The True Nature of Love

<p>During the pandemic lockdown, Jerry was forced to close his fitness center and had no income for months. One day he received a text from a friend asking to meet him at his facility at 6:00 p.m. Jerry wasn&rsquo;t sure why but made his way there. Soon cars started streaming into the parking lot. The driver in the first car placed a basket on the sidewalk near the building. Then car after car (maybe fifty of them) came by. Those inside waved at Jerry or hollered out a hello, stopped at the basket, and dropped in a card or cash. Some sacrificed their money; all gave their time to encourage him.</p> <p>The true nature of love is sacrificial, according to the apostle Paul. He explained to the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave &ldquo;even beyond their ability&rdquo; so they could meet the needs of the apostle and others (2 Corinthians 8:3). They even &ldquo;pleaded&rdquo; with Paul for the opportunity to give to him and God&rsquo;s people. The basis for their giving was the sacrificial heart of Jesus Himself. He left the riches of heaven to come to earth to be a servant and to give His very life. &ldquo;Though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor&rdquo; (v. 9).</p> <p>May we too plead with God so that we might &ldquo;excel in this grace of giving&rdquo; (v. 7) in order to lovingly meet the needs of others.&nbsp;</p>