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Ex. 36
The people gave so much to the work of the tabernacle that Moses actually had to tell them to stop. I can’t say I see that kind of enthusiasm in giving very often! We also see it in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, where he mentioned the overflowing generosity of the Macedonians in spite of their own lack (see 2 Cor. 8). This falls in line with what I noted from reading Proverbs 11 yesterday. It also falls in line with the change of heart that comes with knowing Christ. Self wants to gather to self. However, Christ in us should generate an enthusiasm for giving, spreading, scattering, regardless of the perceived cost. And we can know that God honors that kind of genuine generosity in more ways than we can even imagine.
John 15
A couple of days ago we read Jesus’ words to His disciples, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:35). Today we read similar words. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (Jn. 15:8). What does it mean to bear fruit? “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” (Jn. 15:9). It seems that bearing fruit is all about giving the love of God to others.
So what is God’s love? It certainly isn’t the emotion that many equate with love. Some say love is a decision or an action. But Jesus’ words here give me the idea that it is even more than that. It seems to me that love is a way of being that influences your every action and decision, and likely even the way you feel. It is a life lived outside of self, deeply rooted in the power of God’s Spirit.
Prov. 12
“The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.” (Pr. 12:12). The second half of that verse pairs perfectly with the thoughts I just noted from John 15. God is the root of the righteous. It is He who bears fruit in those who connect to Him through an active relationship with Jesus Christ. And the fruit that He bears in us is love. I have to stop and think about how all of that connects to the first half of the verse, though.
The first thing that comes to mind is the attitude and desire for “give” versus “take”. Everything about God’s love gives by nature. The wicked, however, desire to take from others. In this proverb, the wicked not only take, but they take from one what was taken from another. At the heart of the give versus take difference is that giving is others-minded while taking is self-centric. So the righteous have their root outside themselves for the benefit of others. In contrast, the wicked take what isn’t theirs to feed their own desires. I think that paints a pretty good picture of what is and isn’t love.