June 4 Devotion: Gladly Spent

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

         The Apostle Paul was a dedicated Christian. I believe he served the Lord with his whole heart and was diligently continuous in this service. He said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ…” and he practiced what he preached.

         In the above passage we see a truth told concerning the response (or reaction) to Paul’s service. Just because Paul was doing all he could do to be a blessing to people does not mean that they all responded in the right way. Contrary to what some may think, others’ response is not something we can control. The giver cannot dictate the response to the gift. We are not to manipulate or coerce people’s acceptance to what we are doing. It must be received by faith. We are to be faithful in our service, but success is God’s responsibility. Only he can give the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6) However, Paul (inspired by God) says that it is hard to personally handle situations when you lovingly pour your heart into people, but they don’t love you back for what you’ve done for them. He said that it seemed the more he loved, the less he was loved. That’s hard to accept. It is very trying on the emotions of the one loved less for loving more.

         And then this thought came to mind. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” but most of mankind does not love God back for all he has done for them. God is treated the way Paul said he was treated. The more he loved the less he was loved. That is sad but let us put something in perspective by asking a question. Did the response to his love stop God from doing what he did and continues to do? Did the response to Paul’s love stop Paul from continuing? Of course, the answer to both is no. God’s love keeps loving, Paul’s love kept loving, and our love for God should keep us loving and serving. Let us be gladly spent in our service for the Lord. There will be some who will receive the truth that you give with gladness. But they will not hear if you let the unloving crowd stop you from continuing. Keep going. Don’t faint. Don’t get detoured. Don’t become bitter or resentful. It just might be that the love less crowd may come to realize your love for them is genuine and they finally listen with a responsive heart. Don’t give in to the wiles of the devil. He wants you to be discouraged. Turn a deaf ear to his deception and keep on keeping on.

In Christ’s Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5