The apostle Paul is beginning to draw his second letter to the Corinthians to a close.
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. 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. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. (2 Cor 12:14-15)
Do you want to make a difference that doesn’t cost a dime today? Take a moment to pray for those who are “spent” this morning.
- The preachers who poured out their hearts behind a pulpit yesterday
- The elders who willfully waded into worlds of pain and brokenness yesterday
- The deacons whose work was indispensable but largely unnoticed yesterday
- The Bible class teachers who gave everything they had to give around a little table with toddlers yesterday
- The people who didn’t sit with their families in the assembly because they were serving in other capacities yesterday
Why? They love the Lord, his people, and the lost. They’ve already mentally moved on to the next responsibility. Many of them are working full-time secular jobs today. They’ll go home tonight and begin preparing for the next opportunity. Why? They are willing to most gladly spend and be spent for the souls of others.
Mondays are hard for lots of people. Mondays can be hard for preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, and other servants too. They love the gospel. They do everything they can to keep the “gospel chariot” rolling along, but they sometimes feel like it ran right over them in the process.
Do you want to make a difference that doesn’t cost a dime today? Take a moment to pray for those who gladly spent themselves for the sake of souls yesterday. “Refresh their hearts” (Philemon 20) today by taking the time to express appreciation for their efforts.
