Twin City church of Christ Blog
“July 5, 2024 - I Will Spend and Be Spent”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsI Will Spend and Be Spent
Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:11-18
Paul has finished his sarcastic boasting about his credentials as an apostle. “I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing”(2 Cor 12:11). He is frustrated that after all that he and the Corinthians have been through, they have not defended him and he has had to defend himself. “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!”(2 Cor 12:12-13). He has shown them his authentic apostleship. The only thing he has not done is insist that they pay him; he sarcastically asks their forgiveness for this.
Paul sees the Corinthians as his children and he refuses to take pay for them even when he plans a future visit. “And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children”(2 Cor 12:14). Parents understand that they will be disadvantaged to benefit their children and willfully choose it. “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”(2 Cor 12:15). Paul is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He sincerely believes that receiving money from them will damage the impact of the gospel. He will have to spend. But he declares that he will happily spend and be spent for his brothers.
“I will most gladly spend and be spent.” It is one thing to offer others money. It is quite another to offer them ourselves—to “be spent” for others. This speaks to the emotional, physical, and financial toll that Christian service takes on us. Paul “most gladly” accepts this burden because of his great love.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I ever resent serving others? What might Paul say to this feeling?
One Thing to Pray For: A spirit to “spend and be spent” even when others are ungrateful
