1 Corinthians 13:4, Charity Envieth Not (2)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not …

For the student, this love enables him to help his fellow student without being afraid that he will do one day do better than him. For the colleague, it enables one to impart know-how without being afraid of losing out in the process. This is such a wonderful Christian trait if you are at the receiving end of the blessings as a result of the generosity of another. There is the greater blessing which this verse describes for us if you are the one demonstrating such a love to another. This makes all the difference in a cruel world where the Christian’s testimony shines as a light in the darkness.

Indeed, charity envies not. There is that constant overcoming of the corrupt emotional make-up of the depraved heart that is taught here. You may ask, “How can such love be cultivated?” Biblical love is an active emotion that God gives to His children. We are to seek God’s help in godly repentance every time we realise even an inkling of evil arises in the heart when we see the prosperity of others. We are to cultivate that heightened awareness of this sin in our hearts and ask God to nip the evil in the bud and not allow the hatred to fester. We are to realise that we are special in God’s sight and God has a special plan for our life that is unique and beautiful.

We must learn to rest in God’s goodness in our lives. We must learn to count our blessings. Our hopes and expectations must not be earthbound by heavenward. God’s reward for His servants is not according to how the world rates gain rather how we count all things lost for Christ’s sake. We all have to give an account of our stewardship in this life before Jesus, our Judge. May we truly have His favour in the day of reckoning! Amen.