Oftentimes when asking someone why they may spend a lot of time doing a certain thing, the answer comes back that “it’s a labor of love”. There are many examples, like prayer, charity, ministry, nursing, teaching, reading, writing, athletics, etc. It could be the reason why someone takes a lower-paying job, or why they may donate their time and money to certain causes. I am sure that everyone has their own labor of love. For me, writing for Bible or Not is my labor of love.

Labor of Love Meaning – The quote ‘labor of love’ is used to describe a person’s reason for doing work that may not have a self-serving or monetary benefit. The work and energy, i.e. labor, is expended for the benefit of others or because it provides a sense of purpose, goodness, satisfaction or well being.

Labor of Love Origin – The origin of the labor of love quote comes from the King James Bible and is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and Hebrews 6:10. The original King James Version uses the English spelling of “labour” but the New King James and other modern translations use the American English spelling of “labor”.

What is your labor of love? Please leave a comment below to share with our readers.

Here are the King James Bible passages using the labor of love quote:

1Thessalonians 1:3 – Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

There has been so much said and written about love that I didn’t think I had anything to add, so I almost didn’t write this. But who can resist talking about love? Life is filled with so much expectation, and much of that expectation is based upon what we get, when it should be based upon what we can give.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” – The Beatles, Abbey Road, 1969

Conventional wisdom, and today’s love quote, tell us that you only get what you give. As good as that sounds, it is not completely Biblical. Yes, the Bible does say to cast your bread upon the water and in so many days it will return to you, implying that what you put out is what you’ll get back (God and Karma), but Jesus made this principle so much clearer.

Firstly, let’s remember what Jesus did with five loaves of bread in one instance, and then with seven loaves in another. With five loaves of bread Jesus fed 5,000 people and with seven loaves of bread He fed 4,000 people. And yes, in both instances He also multiplied the few fishes He had. Those who had, gave of what they had, and God multiplied it to get so much more than they gave.

These accounts are not just accounts of Jesus’ miraculous power, they are examples of a spiritual principle. The principle is that in the end, the love you take is greater than the love you make. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus makes it very clear:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38 NIV

When you give of your love (the love you make), it will return unto you in a good measure (meaning you’ll get a lot back), it will be shaken together (so you’ll have room to receive even more), and running over into your lap (you’ll take back more love than you can hold). So today, let’s remember this principle, and if you are discouraged about what you think you’re not getting, then give some love and you’ll be amazed how God will bless you.

And for those who enjoyed the Beatles quote, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the last track of the Beatles last recorded album, Abbey Road.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ah, it’s Valentine’s Day, a day when we send cards and candies and flowers and special wishes to the one we love.  But is this type of romantic love Biblical, or are we to be more reserved about our affections? One read through the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) easily answers that question. Here are some excerpts from the NIV version of the Bible.

She
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth,
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.

- Song of Solomon 1:2-3

He
How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.

- Song of Solomon 1:15

She
How handsome you are, my beloved!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.

- Song of Solomon 1:16

He
My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.

- Song of Solomon 2:14

Clearly God has shown us through His Word that expressing our romantic love to our mate is not only permissible, but encouraged and beneficial. So today, don’t neglect to show that someone special in your life how much you truly love them. Happy Valentine’s Day!

- The full Song of Solomon

- More posts about Biblical Love