The True Nature of Love 爱的本质

[Dexu Xia]

They gave as much as they were able.  2 Corinthians 8:3

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’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.

The true nature of love is sacrificial, according to the apostle Paul. He explained to the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave “even beyond their ability” so they could meet the needs of the apostles and others (2 Corinthians 8:3). They even “pleaded” with Paul for the opportunity to give to them and to God’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. “Though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor” (v. 9).

May we too plead with God so that we might “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7) in order to lovingly meet the needs of others. 

How might sacrificial service or giving fit into your life this week? Who needs your encouragement?

Loving God, You are so good. Please give me opportunities to bless others for You in Your power and wisdom.

 他们是按着力量，……自己甘心乐意地捐助。—哥林多后书8章3节

在新冠疫情封城期间，杰瑞经营的健身中心被迫暂时歇业，好几个月没有收入。有一天，他收到朋友的讯息，要他下午六点在健身中心碰面。杰瑞不知道朋友要做什么，但仍开车前往。不久后，他发现许多车涌入停车场。开着第一辆车的人在健身中心旁的人行道上，放了一个篮子，后面跟着的汽车一辆接着一辆（大约多达50部车）。每辆汽车里的人都向杰瑞挥手、大声地给他加油、打气，并停在那个篮子前面，把事先写好的卡片或金钱投进篮子里。虽然不是所有人都有能力献出金钱，但每个人都愿意付出时间来鼓励杰瑞。

使徒保罗说，爱的本质就是牺牲和付出。他对哥林多教会的信徒说，马其顿众教会所付出的甚至“过了力量”，好补足使徒和其他人的需要（哥林多后书8章3节）。他们甚至“求”保罗给他们这个机会，能为使徒和上帝的百姓献上金钱。他们愿意如此的付出是因耶稣牺牲的爱。耶稣舍弃天国的富足，甘愿降世成为奴仆，甚至牺牲自己的生命。正如第9节说：“祂本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷。”

让我们也恳求上帝，叫我们能在这慈善的事上，乐意慷慨付出（7节），以爱去帮补别人的需要。

在这周，你要如何无私地服事和给予？
有谁需要你的支持与鼓励？

慈爱的上帝，祢无比美善。求祢赐给我机会，
让我能倚靠祢的大能与智慧，为祢去祝福别人。