In what ways can we prioritize others' needs over our own comfort today? Paul’s Example of Costly Care “ ‘And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Paul offers two commitments: • “I will spend”—he willingly pours out material resources. • “I will be spent”—he yields personal energy, time, and even reputation. The verse anchors a lifestyle that values people’s spiritual and practical welfare above personal ease. Why Prioritizing Others Reflects Christ • Philippians 2:3-4—“in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • Mark 10:45—our Lord “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” • 1 John 3:16-18—real love “lays down” life and refuses “love with word or tongue alone.” Serving sacrificially is not heroic extras; it is normal discipleship. Everyday Practices That Put People First Relationships • Schedule margin so interruptions become ministry opportunities rather than irritations. • Return calls or messages promptly when someone is hurting; presence often speaks louder than solutions. Home & Family • Adjust personal hobbies or screen time to invest in spouse, children, or aging parents. • Model generosity by letting kids see you give away something valued, not just extras. Church Life • Volunteer for unnoticed tasks—nursery rotation, post-event cleanup—freeing others to receive. • Adopt a “last seat, last slice” mindset at gatherings, echoing Romans 12:10. Community • Keep a small cash or grocery card stash for surprise needs (Galatians 6:10). • Offer skills—tutoring, car repair, job-search help—without charging, mirroring Luke 10:33-35. Finances • Tithe first, budget second; generosity then shapes lifestyle rather than leftovers. • Pursue contentment so raises translate into larger giving, not merely higher living. Time & Energy • Set a recurring spot on the calendar for hospital visits, meals ministry, or mentoring. • Choose a slower pace—walking instead of driving, cooking instead of take-out—to create space for conversation and care. Speech • Affirm and encourage publicly; correct privately, reflecting Proverbs 12:25. • Pray with people on the spot rather than promising future prayer and forgetting. Guardrails for Healthy Sacrifice • Stay rooted in Scripture and prayer so motive remains love, not applause (Matthew 6:1-4). • Maintain Sabbath rhythms; rest prevents burnout and keeps service joyful. • Involve others—shared loads lighten individual strain and foster body life (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Encouragement to Persist Galatians 6:9—“Let us not grow weary in doing good.” The harvest comes in God’s season. Choosing to “spend and be spent” today may cost comfort, but it stores eternal treasure and mirrors the heart of the Savior who first gave Himself for us. |
    |