Put Love at the Center of Your Gifts

My dear son,

You may speak beautifully, yet without love your words can become noise to the listener. I want you to care sincerely for the person before you as much as you care about speaking well. Let the person matter within the conversation.

Talent, knowledge, and generosity are precious when used to love people. Do not turn someone into a backdrop for your own importance. Even a small kindness deserves attention to the heart of the person receiving it.

This morning, consider the spirit in which you will act before deciding how impressive your work might be. Ask kindly and listen fully. I want love to fill the good gifts you already have.

With all my love,
Your Father

1 Corinthians 13:1–3

WEB

1If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.
3If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

A short reflection

Paul teaches love's priority, explaining that remarkable speech, knowledge, faith, generosity, and sacrifice have no true benefit without it.

World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter