What would get people’s attention and draw accolades in every nation?  If someone were to give up all of their possessions so the poor could be fed.

What does God’s word say about such a noble endeavor?
(NASB) 1 Corinthians 13:3 “And if I give all possessions to feed the poor…, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”

In the Amplified Bible, “love” is defined as “God’s love in me”.
So, if someone does not have God’s love within, all their ‘good works’ will not gain for them God’s approval.  Interesting isn’t it?
Personal Assessment: Why do I do good deeds?  Do I do them so people applaud me?
Whose approval do I need?

What do many religious and spiritual people believe?  Is it being a martyr, in any sense of the word, to gain God’s approval?
What does God’s word say about such a sacrifice of the body?
(NASB) 1 Corinthians 13:3 “…and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”
Again, that word ‘love’ means God’s love within.  If that bodily sacrifice is done without the living presence of God and His love within, in God’s eyes that sacrifice is without merit.

Personal Assessment: Why do I try to give God a sacrifice of my time, my energy, my body in any kind of ministry?  Am I seeking God’s approval or peoples’ approval?

If anyone tries to gain heaven and eternity with God through philanthropy or martyrdom without God’s life and love within…there is no eternal profit!
Our good works, our expending ourselves to be approved by God, are without profit – if His love does not live in us.

The living God of the Bible has provided the way for you, for anyone, to have His love within and it is through receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  Have you?
This website gives you God’s words about salvation…Click on the Resources Tab, then on God’s Plan of Salvation.

His word clearly shows what will gain His approval

and it is through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.