Wise Spending

Today's Verse:

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. ~2 Corinthians 12:15 

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Living in California is very expensive. Many adults become value shoppers in order to maximize the purchasing power of their money. They will focus on weekly sales on groceries, appliances, furniture, and other consumer items. They will discipline themselves to purchase only in bulk and when items are on sale. Value shoppers are wise in their spending. The word "spend" implies allocating money to purchase something, consume something, or pay something out. Paul uses the phrase "spend and be spent" to describe the sacrifices he was willing to make for the people he ministered to. 

We see the excitement. 

“And I will very gladly.…” Paul had an enthusiastic and exciting spirit when it came to giving to God and giving to others. In his teaching about giving, he said that every man should give according as he purposes in his heart, and not begrudgingly. God loves a cheerful giver: that is, a Christian who gives joyfully. Paul quoted the words of our Lord Jesus that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” A Spirit-filled Christian will be ready and willing to give spontaneously, sacrificially, and substantially. 

We see the expending. 

“And I will very gladly spend…” All of us are spenders. On one extreme, unwise spending results in squandering and wastefulness. The other extreme is being tight-fisted in our spending, which results in us being miserly and miserable. Wise spending involves giving our time, resources, and ability to help others. Wise spending is how we invest in other people. As a Christian, we should be possessed with a spirit of giving to build, mentor, restore, and encourage others. 

We see the exhausted. 

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.” Not only was Paul a leader who expended himself, but he was also a leader who exhausted himself for others. The word "spent" implies “spending to the very last penny.” It means to give it all away. It means to give all that you have and have nothing left over for yourself. You have exhausted all that you have and possess. Paul told these believers that he loved them and that he would give his all for them. He would spend and be spent. This is what our Lord Jesus did when He was nailed to the cross and shed His precious blood for our sins. He willingly and lovingly spent Himself for us. The difference-maker in what we do and the lasting impact we leave behind us is measured by spending and being spent. 

We see the exposure. 

“Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Paul wanted us to know the exposure or risk involved when we willingly spend and are spent. Paul indicated that the more abundantly he loved, the less he was loved. You do not spend with the idea of getting repaid in the same way by the people for whom you do these things for. If anything, you must accept the inevitable risk that they might love you less than you love them. They might appreciate what you do for them, but do not expect that they would ever do the same for you. We do not spend for recompense; we do so because we are called to pour what we are and what we have into the lives of the people God has given us to serve. Wise spending is giving it all and being thankful that God has given you this opportunity. You are a wise spender in the eyes of God when you live to spend and be spent. 

Have a willing God Morning! 

Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 1-4

#2Corinthians #Sacrifice #Spending