Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The value of a gift lies in the intention and love behind it rather than its material worth.
Martin Luther emphasizes the significance of the giver's emotional investment in a gift. It's not just the physical item that counts, but the sincerity and affection behind the act of giving that makes the gift meaningful and cherished. This notion suggests that the best gifts are those given with genuine care and thoughtfulness, which elevate the perceived value of the gift beyond its material cost.
Themes
GiftGivingHeartLoveValue
In practice
Example use cases
In a charity event, someone might quote this to highlight the importance of donating from the heart rather than just giving money.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes βNow if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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