Spend And Be Spent (for you)

 191026- Meditational Nuggets from 2 Corinthians 12 KJV

“13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

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

Spend And Be Spent (for you)

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 KJV 

1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

• There is GOD’S SUFFICIENT GRACE in Human Weakness”

Central Truth: The greatness of a believer is not measured by spiritual experiences or personal strength, but by humble dependence upon the sufficient grace and perfect power of Christ.

Conclusive Insight:

In verses 1–6, 

⁃ Paul speaks of extraordinary revelations from the LORD, including being caught up to the third heaven. Yet, he refuses to exalt himself through these experiences. His example teaches us that spiritual privileges are not grounds for pride, but responsibilities that call for humility before GOD.

In verses 7–8, 

⁃ Paul sincerely reveals his “thorn in the flesh,” which kept him from being exalted above measure. Although he besought the LORD thrice for its removal, GOD had a greater lesson to teach him through his affliction.

In verse 9, 

⁃ the LORD specifically declares, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” This profound truth reminds us that GOD does not always remove our burdens; sometimes, He supplies the grace to endure them. Our weaknesses become opportunities for the power of Christ to be manifested in our lives.

Finally, verses 9–10 

reveal Paul's spiritual triumph: he willingly embraces his infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake. He understands that human weakness does not hinder divine strength when the believer rests in the LORD.

Practical Application:

Let us never measure GOD’s favour by the absence of trials or the abundance of earthly strength. Instead, let us learn to trust His wisdom, submit to His will, and depend upon His unfailing grace. When our strength fails, Christ remains sufficient; when we are weak, His power can work mightily through us.

Meditational Nugget:

“The thorn may remain, the burden may continue, and the answer may differ from our desire; yet GOD’S grace is sufficient, and Christ’s strength is perfected in our weakness.”

It is only by the Grace of GOD that we overcome every trials that comes our way; we may claim it to be because of our strength or persistence, but all we believed we did, will never be done  without GOD’s grace. 

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 KJV 

 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

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

16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

• The Genuineness of Christian Ministry—Love, Integrity, and Repentance

1. The Evidence of Genuine Ministry 

v. 11–13

Paul demonstrated the marks of an apostle through patience, signs, wonders, and mighty deeds. True Christian ministry is not measured by human recognition or personal status, but by faithful service and the work of God.

2. The Enduring Heart of a Faithful Servant 

v. 14–18

Paul declared, “For I seek not yours, but you” (v. 14). His desire was not to gain material possessions but to nurture the spiritual growth of the believers. His willingness to spend and be spent reveals sacrificial love, even when that love is not returned.

3.The Empowering Ministry for Spiritual Edification v. 19

Paul emphasized that everything he did was before God in Christ and for the believers’ edification. Godly ministry seeks to build up the church in truth, faith, and holiness—not to promote personal interests.

4. The Emboldening Call to Unity and Repentance v. 20–21

Paul was concerned about divisions, envy, anger, gossip, pride, and unrepented sin. He specifically wrote to the Corinthian Church to teach them, that the true and Genuine Christian growth requires a humble heart, restored relationships, and sincere repentance before God.

Teaching us also that the true Christian ministry is the expression of sacrificial love, sincere integrity, and a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of others. 

As servants of God, we must seek not personal gain but the edification of His people,  teaching every church that we must not be contented to just receive but also learn to give our best; while examining our hearts and turning away from sin. 

Our love must remain steadfast, our conduct blameless, and giving of our every service be pleasing to the Lord.

Meditational Nugget:

“A faithful servant seeks not what he can gain from God's people, but how he can help them grow in God's truth, charity, and holiness.”

Let these questions evaluate our current situation concerning our Christian life:

• Am I serving others for my own benefit, or 

• am I willingly spending myself and be spent for their spiritual growth? 

• Is there any sin, selfishness, pride, or bitterness in my heart that requires repentance?

Let this be our Prayer: 

Closing Prayer:

Lord GOD, Our Heavenly Father, teach us to walk humbly before Thee. Help us to accept Thy wisdom when our prayers are answered differently than we expect. May Thy sufficient grace sustain us through every trial, that the power of Christ may rest upon us and Thy glory may be manifested in our weakness.

And as for my personal prayer my Heavenly Loving Father, teach me to serve with sincere love, humility, and integrity. Help me seek the spiritual growth of others, preserve unity among Your people, and continually repent of anything that displeases You. May my life and ministry be spent only to bring glory to Your holy name. 

In Jesus' name, Amen. 🙏❤