“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 KJV

It’s easy to give God thanks when good things happen to us. But how often do we give Him thanks for things that He does for others or for the many opportunities that He ushers into our lives to help people who are in need? Many tend to focus on what they want to get out of life, while neglecting to take notice of people who are less fortunate than they are. When they have the means to help, they choose to make themselves fatter with what they already have in abundance instead.

The irony here, of course, is that those who fail to take notice of the needy are more in want than they are. For they may have more than these in terms of worldly possessions, but their hearts are far from God, which means they lack that which is most important in life. Love. In other words, they are spiritually bankrupt.

Listen, it makes no difference how wealthy we are or might become in this world, or how highly people might esteem us; all of these things will pass away. Nevertheless, the one thing that will remain is love. And if we really know love we won’t fail to take notice of those who are in need; instead, we will extend our arms to them, seeking to edify and build them up in the name of Jesus Christ. And we will thank God for giving us such opportunities to help others; that is, we will thank Him for making it possible for us to have good things to share. Thus, our sharing with others will become an expression of gratitude to God, and we will thereby discover what it means to be blameless–walking in love.