It has to be love.

A business man walks down the street and sees a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk with a help sign. The man stops and puts five dollars in the small bucket by her feet. Another business man sees the same woman and puts five dollars in the same bucket. Jesus is only impressed with one of the givers. One man just had a latte and pastry and knew he had five dollars in his pocket. He gave because he knew he had plenty of money to give. The other man’s heart broke at the poverty in the woman’s life. He hadn’t been to the bank yet and only had five dollars in his pocket.

We can do the right thing, even with a good motive, but if we don’t love behind it, the action counts for very little. Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1Cor 13:3) That’s a very sobering thought. We are such a callused people in our prosperity. It takes humility to love others. It takes a repentant heart.

Go before God and ask Him for His heart of love. It has to come from Him. We can’t do it on our own. Keep on asking. Ask for more. If you live and breathe with His love motivating your actions, heaven moves with you.