Spend and be spent

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:15).

When Christ ascended on high (Dan. 7:14), He gave gifts unto men (Eph. 4:7-9). The Apostle Paul was one such gift. He was glad to spend whatever he had for the Corinthians, even though the more he loved them, the less they loved him. Not only was he glad to spend what he had, but was glad to spend himself. This is the mark of a true servant of Christ. "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves, your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5). John the Baptist said his joy was to see Christ's people, as the Bride of Christ, joined to Christ the Bridegroom (John 3:29-30). John wanted to decrease in the eyes of men that Christ might increase in the eyes of men. He wanted to decrease in his own esteem that Christ might be all to him. These are marks of the man given grace to serve Christ by serving His people in whatever way the Lord enables him.

Where does this attitude come from, this attitude of Paul and John and every man given by Christ upon His ascension: that a man would be ready to spend and be spent for Christ's church? It is not of man; it is not of ourselves (1 Cor. 15:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9). It comes from the Master. It comes to the disciple from the Master. It comes from Him who calls to the man who is called. It comes from Him who puts a man in that place to which He calls him. This attitude began in the heart of our Savior. He is Himself God, the express image of God the Father. All that God is, Christ is (Col. 2:9). He accomplished His Father's work to save His people from their sins (John 4:32; 5:36; 19:30; Heb. 1:3; 10:14). He is the Man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). This attitude springs from the heart of the Son of God, the heart of God, from His condescending grace. We see it in our Master, Jesus Christ the Lord (Matt. 20:28; Php. 2:5-8; John 14:6-9). 

Never take the work of God in the heart of a man for granted. Never take the ascension gift of Christ to His church for granted. It is a rare thing. It is a most blessed gift of His love and grace. In answer to this gift of the Son of God and Son of Man (1 John 4:9), and for such gifts of Christ in men, “we are bound to give thanks to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord” (2 Thess. 2:13).

Rick Warta