Friday, May 13 – 1 Corinthians 13:13

But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The word invest means “to make use of for future benefits or advantages.”[1] This word is often used in a financial sense, but it has a broader meaning in life as we try to navigate how to spend our time, resources, and spiritual gifts. Over time, we see from experience that there are things in life that last and things that don’t. Paul concluded his exhortation on love with this summary as another reminder of the depth, importance, and lasting value of love. If we understand that love is an eternal investment, we make it a priority, and it changes how we use our gifts, how we argue, and even how we encourage. What would it look like if we started to see love this way? It would change our need for being right in every situation. It would change our impulse to show off when we do something kind. It would change our quick move to criticism of others. If love has eternal value, it only makes sense that it should affect every area of our lives.

Paul reflected this in Colossians 4:5-6 when he said, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” If you have been changed and transformed by the love of God, it will overflow in your life, making an eternal impact even where you don’t see it.

• What are some investments in love that you are making on a regular basis?
• What would it look like if you recognized the eternal value of love daily?
• Pray and ask God to make His love overflow through your life.

[1] Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “invest,” accessed April 20, 2022, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invest.