EPHESIANS 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25)


Love is only expressed through giving. If there is no giving, there is no evidence that love exists. The only proof of love is giving. Giving is the action that demonstrates love. So, the measure of your giving is the measure of your love. The more you give -- of yourself, your time, your attention, your affection, your patience, your treasure -- the more you love. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. Why did Jesus say there was no greater love than to give your life? Because you can't give any more. That's total commitment!
So, whenever you see "love" in a sentence, you may substitute "giving" and express essentially the same meaning.  By understanding that love results in giving, we see that Jesus indicated His disciples would be known for their giving. We are to be famous for our giving! This is the way Jesus indicated people would know His true followers: by their giving. (Not our fighting, our preaching, or even our correct doctrine.) We see in the early days of the church, this is exactly what happened. For love is giving of yourself for another, Christ did that for you and I on that cross he loved us so much that he died in our place.  When you see the homeless or the lost do you have love for them? Christ does, do you want to be the hands and feet? Are you willing to be a mirror for Christ?