The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls.” 

—2 Corinthians 12:15

Paul echoes this statement again in Philippians 2:17: “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”

Just like Jesus, Paul laid his life down willingly to bring others to God. This is just one example that it was not only for Jesus to sacrifice for the kingdom of God, but for all of us as fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

That will look different for each of us. Whatever life the Lord has given us, we’re called to lay it down. “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him? Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:16–18).

This doesn’t mean we will do everything anyone asks or expects of us, but it does mean if we’re walking in the Spirit, we will give willingly where the Lord leads. We will gladly “spend and be expended,” whether in our time, finances, emotion, or physical effort. 

This life is not about what we can get out of it, but about what we can pour into others for the sake of the Gospel. 

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