Love does not seek its own

And in becoming all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:22), love does not seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5). In striving to please all people, the lover of mankind has no eye at all to his own temporal advantage. He covets no one's silver, or gold, or clothing. He desires nothing but the salvation of their souls. Yes, in some sense he may be said not to seek his own spiritual advantage any more than his temporal advantage. For while he is stretched to the full to save their souls from death, he, as it were, forgets himself. He does not think of himself, so long as that zeal for the glory of God swallows him up. Indeed, at some times he may almost seem, through an excess of love, to give up himself, both his soul and his body, while he cries out with Moses, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin. Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin. And if not, blot me out of the book which you have written (Exodus 32:32). Or with Saint Paul, I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh (Romans 9:3).