“Let all your things be done with charity.”
(1 Corinthians 16:14 KJV)
In a little country town where tractors doubled as parade floats and everyone waved whether they knew you or not, lived a farmer named Hank. Now Hank wasn’t what you’d call warm and fuzzy, more like a stubborn oak tree in overalls. But he was steady, honest, and always showed up when somebody needed a hand.
Next door lived Miss Evelyn, a widow known for her biscuits, so light you had to tie them down to keep them from floating off the plate. She had a bad hip and had worse hearing, but she never missed church and never let anybody leave her house hungry.
One spring morning, Hank noticed Evelyn’s fence had blown down in the wind. Chickens were running wild like they were in some sort of feathered jailbreak. He grunted, pulled on his muddy boots, and headed over with his toolbox.
Evelyn hollered from the porch, “You don’t have to do that, Hank!”
He didn’t answer, just bent down and started fixing the fence. One post at a time, in the hot sun, without a single complaint.
When he finished, she came outside holding a flour sack. “You stay right there, Hank. I made these for you.” Inside were six warm biscuits and a jar of homemade blackberry jam.
He gave her a quiet nod, said “Much obliged,” and walked back home.
Now, Hank never gave fancy speeches. He didn’t write poetry or donate big checks. But his hands told the story. And his heart, though gruff and calloused, was full of charity.
Devotional Thought:
1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us, “Let all your things be done with charity.” That word “charity” means love in action, not just feelings, but doing. It’s lending a hammer. Baking a pie. Holding your tongue. Forgiving first.
Love isn’t always loud. Sometimes it wears flannel and doesn’t ask for thanks. Sometimes it shows up with muddy boots and a toolbelt, asking nothing in return.
We may not all preach sermons or lead worship, but every one of us can let love guide our actions - at home, at work, in our communities.
Prayer:
"Lord, teach me to love not just in words, but in what I do. Let every action be flavored with kindness, patience, and grace. Help me to serve with a humble heart and a generous spirit, just like You. Amen."
Reflection Questions:
1. Think of someone who shows love through actions—what can you learn from them?
2. What’s one practical way you can serve someone today out of love?
3. Are there areas in your life where love has been missing from your actions?
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