When we go to a retail store, we gather what we want and go to the registers. We give our money to the clerk and expect to get our purchases in return. Many people offer their services or hospitality with an expectation that they will receive something in return. If we are honest, we often do acts of kindness with some expectation of receiving something in return, if that return is only to feel good about ourselves.
Luke 6:32-33 says, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. and if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Jesus is calling us to a higher standard of love and conduct than what we can find elsewhere in the world. We are called to be different than the world. We are to love and to do good for even those who do not love us or do good for us. We are called to love and do good without expectation of anything in return, just like God loves us. Of course, this demonstrating this kind of unselfish love is impossible in and of ourselves. It is only when we have received God’s love and His love is flowing in and through us that we can love like He loves us.
Reluctant Retiree 