Scripture Reading:1Co 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Reflections: There are a variety of things you may want to do in life for others. This includes the use of your gifts, talents, and resources to meet their needs and to transform their lives. What you do or offer may be worthwhile in your own view but the possibility that they may be countered worthless by God exists. This will be the case if your intervention and support is motivated by factors other than charity. Translated from the Greek word “Agape’, charity means unconditional love. Apostle Paul forcefully drives home this truth when he intimates that without charity, one’s services and use of spiritual gifts will be as ‘sounding brass and tinkling cymbal, profiting the person nothing’. According to Renner, sounding brass and tinkling cymbal speaks of ‘the endless beating of metal that produces a hollow, annoying, irritating echo that seems to eternally reverberate’. Thus whatever you do without charity becomes irritant and is rejected by God. It is time to refuse to sound like a brass and tinkling cymbal. Let your motivation to do good always pass the test for divine approval and recognition.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me operate with unconditional love as I serve the you, the church and humanity. I refuse to sound like a brass and tinkling cymbal.

Confession: I am motivated by unconditional love as I serve and help people in life. My services in this life will always pass the test for divine approval and recognition. It will not be a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.