·love
“The degree of loving is measured by the degree of giving.”
What it means
This quote is really about how love shows up in what we’re willing to give of ourselves, not just what we feel. It’s not about grand gestures or expensive gifts, but the quiet, everyday ways we offer our time, attention, energy, and patience. Think about it: staying up late to listen to a friend who’s struggling, doing the chores your partner hates, forgiving someone even when it would be easier to stay mad. Those are all forms of giving. Cole is basically saying that love isn’t proven by big words or romantic ideas, but by how much of ourselves we’re willing to put on the line for someone else, consistently, even when it’s inconvenient.
About the author
Edwin Louis Cole
Edwin Louis Cole (1922-2002) was an American minister, author, and founder of the Christian Men’s Network, often called the “father of the Christian men’s movement.” Raised during the Great Depression and later serving in World War II, he brought a gritty realism to his teaching on character, responsibility, and integrity. He wrote several influential books, including Maximized Manhood, which challenged men to express love through sacrifice, service, and practical action rather than mere words. This background of hardship, faith, and mentoring men helps explain his conviction that “the…
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