“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
All our qualities only become a blessing to others through love.
You have no value in knowledge if you only use it for yourself. You do not benefit from it at all if others are disadvantaged by your knowledge. Then you will not get better by your knowledge, but worse.
You can say the same about other gifts and talents that you have. God places us in communities: family, neighbourhood, village, church, society, country. The good that we receive from Him is not only meant for ourselves. God asks us to serve others with it.
That’s where love comes in. Out of love we share what we have and what we are for the welfare of others. Admittedly, it can also be done out of a sense of duty. And it is to be hoped that where love is lacking, there is still a sense of duty to be found. Yet it is only a poor second. Only love ensures that we seek the good for others and find happy ourselves in doing it.
Does love characterize your life?