The thirteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians has much to say about the positive characteristics of love: “Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast, is not proud, does not act inappropriately, does not seek its own way, is not irritable, does not remember offences, enjoys truth rather than evil, endures everything, is trusting, is hopeful, and is long-lasting. Love never fails.”
The problem is that these characteristics are all giving characteristics, rather than receiving characteristics. Paul doesn’t say that love is a reciprocal relationship, that love is about being rewarded for your kindness, or that the more love you give the more love you get in return. In fact, every characteristic of love listed by Paul is something you can do even if the person being loved is completely unresponsive.
So if love is all about what you do for others and nothing to do with what you get from others, is there any benefit for you in showing love? Yes there is, if you believe that you have been created in the image of God. People who have been created in the image of God only ever rise to their full destiny and fulfil their role in God’s plan for the world when they pour themselves out in love for others, just as Jesus first did for them.