“I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” 2 Corinthians 12:15 NKJV
Prize life only as invested meaningfully in service to God and others.
My thoughts and comments today are about “spending and investing.”
There are a few people who would not give a moment of their time that was not convenient, nor a nickel that wasn’t required of them. They may have more time and things than they otherwise would, but they will have a lot fewer real friends. I was recently with a friend who is exceptional in his generosity. He is generous with what he has, but even more importantly, he is generous with who he is. When I grow up, I want to be just like him!
But therein lies the problem. Most of us never grow up in this grace, because generosity appears costly. Too late in life we learn it is the lack of generosity that is really expensive. Solomon wisely observed, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV. Saving yourself for your own benefit doesn’t work out so well.
Listen to Paul’s words, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” 2 Corinthians 12:15 NKJV. Prize life only as invested meaningfully in service to God and others. What you spend is gone; what you invest returns. I have not regretted any investment of myself in the Kingdom of God or into the lives of others. I notice a small but significant distinction in Paul’s words. There are occasions when you simply choose to live liberally – “very gladly spend” – but there are also times when necessity dictates sacrifice for the benefit of others – “be spent.” Paul spoke of experiences when “necessity is laid upon me” to preach the Gospel. Read 1 Corinthians 9:16 NKJV. Making a difference is the greatest joy in life.
The Apostle Paul understood the spiritual virtue of self-denial. “I do not count my life dear to myself.” Acts 20:24. Paul did not discount the importance of his life; he lived life and loved life to its fullest potential. His life was dear only within the purposes of God. There is a principal of self-denial here that is applicable to everyday life. Self-denial is not top of the list of desired lifestyles.
Self-denial embraces sacrifice without regard to price or personal cost. Self-denial prefers others before self. Romans 12:10. Self-denial seeks the interests of others before your own. Philippians 2:4. Self-denial does what is right instead of wrong. James 4:17. Self-denial may well be the defining mark of a true disciple. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up His cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24.
In the Old Testament, Jacob could be a case study of the need for this humbling work of the Holy Spirit in one’s heart. See Genesis 25-33. Jacob lived by his wits – manipulating, deceiving, and negotiating for his gain. You didn’t strike a fair bargain with Jacob; you settled for his leftovers. It was a lifestyle, until he wrestled with an angel. What he had once gotten by guile from his brother and father, he now sought by insistence from God. Genesis 32:24-31. “[An angel] touched the socket of Jacob’s hip . . [Jacob said] ‘I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved’ . . and he limped on his hip.” Genesis 32:25/30-31. You will walk differently after an encounter with God like that.
My prayer for you today is that you learn when first place is not the best place.