Of "Greatest" Importance

Leaven for Thought

In previous Meditations, we have examined how the cross, eternal life and our giving are all about relationship. I proposed that God views our giving through the lens of relationship. I think the most well-known reflection of God's heart on this topic is John 3:16 For God so loved ..,that he gave. God models the connection between giving and loving. Every Christian knows that love is on our list of to do's, but how important it is that we model our love through our giving?

Ephesians 5:1-2

New International Version

5 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

This passage in Ephesians reveals that (through Jesus) God has established the pattern he wants us to follow. However, this is about more than just a path, it is about God's priority

In Luke 10:25-37, The story of the "Good Samaritan" flows from a question of how to obtain eternal life. An expert in the law answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus accepted that answer as correct. Interestingly that response is very similar to the response that Jesus gave in Matthew 22 to the question "which is the greatest commandment."

Matthew 22:35-40

New International Version

³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Now let's consider the connection between these two passages of scripture. Matthew 22 tells us that our love for God and each other are our greatest calling and that all others flow from that love. Luke 10 shows us that the love of which Jesus speaks in Matthew 22 is more than emotion, it is relational. Jesus chose to illustrate how that love can be demonstrated through of our giving. He then instructs to "Go and do likewise."

So, how important is our demonstrated love? Matthew 22 says it is not simply one of the "to do's" on our list and it is not merely important. Jesus reveals that is of the greatest importance.

Let It Rise

This week, meditate on the importance of demonstrated love, then become open to ways to give of your presence, your time, your self, your resources or your comfort (that would bring glory to God) that you haven't explored before. Think about the "Good Samaritan." Think about Jesus. Go and do likewise.