Though I can expound the Scripture better than most, and manage a staff of well-trained assistants, if I have not love, I am but a bellowing bore.

And though I have a natural gift for leadership, and have a knack for wisely counseling the confused, and seem to know everything; and although I can muster up enough faith to build debt-free church expansions, and have not love, I am accomplishing nothing.

And though I get paid far less than I'm worth (without grumbling), and though I'd give up all my meager belongings to serve the Lord, and have not love, it gains me nothing.

Love is patient with the drunk whose wife calls at 1 a.m. and needs someone to post bail for her husband. To the slandering gossip who tells the unaware of all the problems in the pastor's home, love is kind.

Love does not constantly refer to the article it got published in Today's Pentecostal Evangel or Enrichment. It does not loudly boast of record giving to missions. It acts the same whether in or out of the pulpit.

It works to add souls to God's kingdom, even if they end up taking their tithes to another church.

Love takes harsh criticism without getting mad or defensive, and always expects the best, even from the worst of people.

Love is not happy to see a competing ministry fail, but rather rejoices when the gospel blesses even its enemies.

Love never fails:
But whether there be successful money-raising programs, they shall fail;
Whether there be well-organized bus ministries, they will break down;
Whether there be a prominent lecture circuit, it shall be canceled.

For the most high calling, the work of the ministry, there abides faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest and most necessary of these is love.