Charity never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8a
“Our charity comes from a right end, when it proceeds from love to God, and for the welfare both of the body and soul of our fellow-creatures. When this is the sole end of relieving our distressed fellow-creatures, then our charity comes from a right end, and we may expect to reap advantage by it: this is the charity which is pleasing to God. God is well pleased, when all our actions proceed from love, love to Himself, and love to immortal souls.
Consider, my dear brethren, that it was love for souls, that brought the blessed Jesus down from the bosom of His Father; that made Him, who was equal in power and glory, to come and take upon Him our nature; that caused the Lord of life to die the painful, ignominious, and accursed death of the cross. It was love to immortal souls, that brought this blessed Jesus among us. And O that we might hence consider how great the value of souls was and is: it was that which made Jesus to bled, pant, and die. And surely souls must be of infinite worth, which made the Lamb of God to die so shameful a death.
And shall not this make you have a true value for souls? It is of the greatest worth: and this, this is the greatest charity, when it comes from love to God, and from love to souls. This will be a charity, the satisfaction of which will last to all eternity. O that this may make you have so much regard for the value of souls, as not to neglect all opportunities for the doing of them good: here is something worth having charity for, because they remain to all eternity. Therefore, let me earnestly beseech you both to consider the worth of immortal souls, and let your charity extend to them, that by your advice and admonition, you may be an instrument, in the hands of God, in bringing souls to the Lord Jesus.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770) in “The Great Duty of Charity Recommended” sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:8 in Selected Sermons of George Whitefield (Grand Rapids, MI: CCEL) 487.
I am teaching a group of United Methodist Church foundation managers today in Charlottesville, Virginia at the Southeastern Jurisdiction of United Methodist Foundations Conference. I chose to read and cite this sermon by Whitefield as he was one of the founders of the Methodist movement.
I realize this is a long post, so I will only make this brief comment and leave you with a prayer. Consider how God has positioned you to “be an instrument” in His hands to bring His love through your charity to the souls around you.
Father in heaven, speak through me today to these foundation managers here in Virginia and bless all meditations readers everywhere. By your Holy Spirit, shape us into instruments of love so that our charity toward souls points people to you. Hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.