May 10, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

1 Corinthians 13 says it is possible to do impressively good works and yet not be motivated by love. In which case, it all amounts to nothing. But in the passage above, Jesus is saying that not only is it worthless; it’s actually lawlessness.

This behooves us to check our heart whenever we think we’re doing charitable work. Is our giving, helping or volunteering for our good or to earn heavenly brownie points? Or do we do those things because we want to ease the suffering of people and encourage them? Let us remember that love is willing and pursuing the good of another, not ours. May nothing else control us but that love of Christ.