Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Without charity external work is of no value, but anything done in charity, be it ever so small and trivial, is entirely fruitful inasmuch as God weighs the love with which a man acts rather than the deed itself. He does much who loves much. He does much who does a thing well. He does well who serves the common good rather than his own interests.
Now, that which seems to be charity is oftentimes really sensuality, for man’s own in- clination, his own will, his hope of reward, and his self-interest, are motives seldom absent. On the contrary, he who has true and perfect charity seeks self in nothing, but searches all things for the glory of God.”
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) in The Imitation of Christ, excerpt from chapter 15, “Works Done in Charity” (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 21.
While this is not me, I pray God makes it true of me: that all I do be done with “true and perfect charity” for the glory of God alone. I also pray that my time studying the Scriptures today with my neighbors will be fruitful for Christ. We are really growing to love our neighbors where God has planted us and seeing some “new growth” in their lives.