I love the fact that the great "love chapter", I Corinthians 13, is found in the middle of teachings about spiritual gifts. Paul taught that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts (12:11) "to each one just as He determines"; and he instructed the church (14:1) "to eagerly desire spiritual gifts".   A primary lesson of chapter 13 is that love, Christ's love, must accompany every gift!  To illustrate, in this great love chapter the Apostle Paul mentions two specific gifts that few people in the church may prayerfully long for. 

In the first few verses of the chapter Paul referred to various gifts God gives to members of the Church, pointing out that whenever they are exercised they should always be given with love, because in God's eyes without love it means nothing.  Verse 3 refers to the two gifts that few may ask for; the gifts of giving and of martyrdom.  Both of these gifts require sacrifice, and both require love.  "If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing".  Concerning martyrdom, when Paul wrote this, it was a not-uncommon occurrence in the church, and Christians rightly esteemed those who made such a sacrifice for the cause of Christ.  Eventually of course, Paul would himself become a martyr.  But Paul's point here was that even if such a supreme sacrifice is made, if there is no love, nothing is gained.

The same point is applied to the gift of giving.  "If I give all I possess to the poor but have not love, I gain nothing".   If you give to the work of the Lord, that is great!  When we give God calls us to give with Love!  When that happens, the Lord is greatly honored, and the Church is blessed and strengthened.