1 Corinthians 16:14 is a short verse that simply says the following: “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Part of the Apostle Paul’s final instructions to the church at Corinth included this phrase which oddly enough, seems like something that should be easy to do. Nothing comes that easy. I am reminded of a management class that taught me the idea that people will perform work (chores, favors, etc.) out of one of three reasons. First, they do it with no choice in the matter. Somebody has power over them or authority over them and in the workplace, It may be you simply have to “obey.” A second motive may be the “WIFM” (What’s In It for Me?). This is where a person looks at the reward they will receive or the benefit they may reap if they agree to the task or assignment. A third motive is simply they want to do it. They perform whatever the task is out of a sense of loyalty, love, commitment, or belief in the cause, person or institution they are submitting to.

There are many variations to this, but essential we “do” because we have to; we “do” because of what it will gain us; we “do” because we want to. But Paul says let everything we do come from a place of love.

The week prior to Valentine’s Day I encountered people who “had to get something for her/him or else I’ll never hear the end of it.” I talked with one person who stated, “I’m hoping this gets me out of hot water.” This made me wonder, “How many people are doing this out of ‘love?”

Is the person fixing your Wednesday night dinner at church doing it out of love for the people and love for the service or is it with a “grudge?” Does that person you work with “whistle while they work? When you look at that loved one do you see a burden, a chore, something that’s on your “to-do” list? These are a few things to reflect on when we are deciding if we are doing things out of love.

So how do we develop this attitude of “doing all things out of love?” I think there are at least two reminders we can put in place for ourselves.

First, our every creation was done so out of God’s love for us. Second, our very salvation, Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, was an act of love. These two simple reminders tell me that God doesn’t “do” because He “has to”. God doesn’t “do” with an attitude of “What’s In It For Me?” God loves when He doesn’t have to and that means His love is a choice He makes. And if God can choose to love unselfishly and not out of obligation, then being made in His image, it’s a choice I can make as well.

REV. BARRY VASSAR can be reached at fitzgeraldmemorial@ gmail.com