SPENDING AND BEING SPENT FOR SOULS
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 12:15
Key Verse: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” — 2 Corinthians 12:15
Supporting Texts: Matthew 9:36-38; John 10:11-15; Romans 9:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 2 Corinthians 11:28-29; Philippians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Acts 20:24; Romans 12:1
Description: Spending and being spent for souls means willingly investing our time, strength, resources, gifts, and lives in the salvation, growth, restoration, and spiritual wellbeing of people for the glory of Christ.
INTRODUCTION
Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 12:15 reveals one of the deepest dimensions of Christian ministry. He did not merely say that he would serve the Corinthians; he declared that he would “very gladly spend and be spent” for them. To spend means to give what we possess, while to be spent means to give ourselves. Paul was therefore willing to invest both his resources and his life for the spiritual welfare of the people God had entrusted to him.
The salvation of souls is at the heart of the mission of Christ. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and He commissioned His followers to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. Therefore, every believer should develop a heart that values people more than possessions, souls more than comfort, and eternal results more than temporary convenience.
Spending and being spent for souls is costly, but it is also one of the greatest privileges of Christian service. It may require time, prayer, financial resources, patience, sacrifice, inconvenience, tears, and sometimes suffering. Yet when we understand the eternal value of a soul, we will gladly make sacrifices so that people can encounter Christ, grow in faith, and fulfil God's purpose for their lives.
1. UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF A SOUL
We cannot genuinely spend ourselves for souls until we understand their value before God.
a. Souls Are Valuable To God (John 3:16) — God demonstrated the value of humanity by giving His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
b. One Soul Is Worth More Than The World (Mark 8:36-37) — Jesus taught that gaining the whole world cannot compensate for the loss of a person's soul.
c. Christ Came To Save The Lost (Luke 19:10) — Jesus came deliberately to seek and save those who were lost.
d. Heaven Rejoices Over One Repenting Sinner (Luke 15:7) — The repentance of even one sinner brings joy in heaven, showing the eternal significance of a soul.
Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, repented, and experienced transformation. Christ demonstrated that reaching one lost person was worth His time and attention (Luke 19:1-10).
2. DEVELOP A HEART FOR SOULS
A burden for souls begins when we see people through the eyes of Christ.
a. Be Moved With Compassion (Matthew 9:36) — Jesus saw the multitudes as scattered and spiritually helpless, and His heart was moved with compassion.
b. Pray For Labourers (Matthew 9:37-38) — Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for workers because the harvest was plentiful but the labourers were few.
c. Love People Genuinely (1 Thessalonians 2:8) — Paul and his fellow workers were willing to share not only the gospel but their own lives with the believers.
d. Carry The Burden Of Souls (Romans 9:2-3) — Paul's deep concern for his fellow Israelites demonstrates the seriousness of genuine spiritual burden.
Biblical Example: Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He recognised the spiritual condition and coming consequences facing the people (Luke 19:41-44).
3. SPEND YOUR TIME FOR THE SAKE OF SOULS
Time is one of the greatest resources God has entrusted to us.
a. Redeem The Time (Ephesians 5:15-16) — Believers are called to walk wisely and make the best use of their opportunities.
b. Preach In Season And Out Of Season (2 Timothy 4:2) — The gospel must be proclaimed faithfully whether circumstances are convenient or inconvenient.
c. Make Disciples Patiently (Matthew 28:19-20) — The Great Commission involves teaching people to observe everything Christ commanded.
d. Invest In The Next Generation (2 Timothy 2:2) — Truth must be entrusted to faithful people who can teach others also.
Biblical Example: Paul spent considerable time teaching and strengthening believers in Ephesus, including daily instruction in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10).
4. SPEND YOUR STRENGTH FOR THE KINGDOM
Ministry requires physical, emotional, and spiritual effort.
a. Labour For The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Believers are encouraged to be steadfast and always abounding in the work of the Lord.
b. Do Not Grow Weary In Well-Doing (Galatians 6:9) — Faithful service requires perseverance even when the results are not immediately visible.
c. Serve With All Your Strength (Ecclesiastes 9:10) — Whatever God places in our hands should be done with diligence and commitment.
d. Let Your Labour Be For The Lord (Colossians 3:23-24) — Christian service should be performed wholeheartedly because we ultimately serve Christ.
Biblical Example: Epaphroditus became seriously ill because of his labour for Christ and his service to Paul, demonstrating remarkable dedication to the work of God (Philippians 2:25-30).
5. SPEND YOUR RESOURCES TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL
God's resources should be used to support His kingdom and reach people with the gospel.
a. Honour God With Your Substance (Proverbs 3:9) — God's people are instructed to honour Him with their possessions and increase.
b. Support Gospel Ministry (Philippians 4:15-18) — The Philippians partnered with Paul by giving toward the advancement of the gospel.
c. Give Generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) — Generosity enables believers to participate in God's work and abound in good works.
d. Use Your Resources For Eternal Purposes (Matthew 6:19-21) — Jesus taught His followers to invest their treasures where eternal values are preserved.
Biblical Example: The early believers willingly shared their possessions to meet genuine needs within the Christian community and advance the work of God (Acts 4:32-35).
6. BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF SOULS
Reaching souls sometimes involves opposition, rejection, inconvenience, and suffering.
a. Accept The Cost Of Discipleship (Luke 9:23) — Following Christ requires self-denial, taking up the cross, and following Him continually.
b. Endure Hardship For The Gospel (2 Timothy 2:3) — God's servants are called to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
c. Do Not Allow Persecution To Silence You (Acts 5:40-42) — The apostles continued teaching and preaching Jesus despite opposition.
d. Value The Assignment More Than Comfort (Acts 20:24) — Paul considered his life worth little compared with completing the ministry Christ had given him.
Biblical Example: Paul and Silas continued preaching Christ after being beaten and imprisoned at Philippi, and their suffering eventually became an opportunity for the salvation of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:22-34).
7. DO NOT SERVE ONLY WHEN YOU ARE APPRECIATED
Paul's love for the Corinthians remained strong even when he felt that his love was not fully reciprocated.
a. Love Even When Love Is Not Returned (2 Corinthians 12:15) — Paul was willing to love abundantly even when he felt less loved in return.
b. Serve For God's Approval (Galatians 1:10) — The true servant of Christ seeks to please God rather than depend upon human applause.
c. Do Good Without Immediate Reward (Luke 6:35) — Christ calls His followers to do good without making their service dependent upon what they receive in return.
d. Trust God With The Results (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) — Ministers may plant and water, but God gives the increase.
Biblical Example: Jeremiah continued proclaiming God's message despite rejection and opposition because he understood that God's Word had to be delivered faithfully (Jeremiah 20:7-9).
8. GIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE TO CHRIST AND HIS PURPOSE
The highest expression of spending and being spent is surrendering our entire lives to God.
a. Present Yourself To God (Romans 12:1) — Believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
b. Live For Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15) — Christ died so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him.
c. Let Love Motivate Your Service (2 Corinthians 5:14) — The love of Christ should compel us to live beyond selfish interests.
d. Finish Your Assignment Faithfully (Acts 20:24) — The goal is to complete the ministry received from the Lord Jesus with faithfulness.
Biblical Example: Paul considered his life secondary to the assignment Christ had given him. His determination was to finish his course and complete his ministry faithfully (Acts 20:24).
CONCLUSION
Spending and being spent for souls is the lifestyle of a person who understands the heart of Christ. Paul was not merely interested in preaching sermons; he was willing to invest his time, strength, resources, emotions, and entire life in the people he served. He understood that souls are eternal and that the greatest investment we can make is one that helps people encounter Christ and fulfil God's purpose.
The question is not simply, “What am I receiving from the work of God?” but, “What am I willing to give for the sake of souls?” Let the love of Christ move you beyond convenience into sacrifice, beyond observation into participation, and beyond temporary interests into eternal investment. May God give us grace to spend and be spent until many souls are saved, established, discipled, and presented mature in Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me a genuine burden and passion for the salvation of souls, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, help me to value every soul as precious before You, in Jesus name.
3. Father, give me grace to spend my time wisely for the advancement of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, strengthen me to spend my gifts, energy, and abilities in winning and discipling souls, in Jesus name.
5. Father, give me grace to use my resources to support the preaching of the gospel, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, strengthen me to endure inconvenience, rejection, and hardship for the sake of souls, in Jesus name.
7. Father, deliver me from selfishness and help me to serve without seeking human applause, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, help me to raise faithful disciples who will also win and disciple others, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let the love of Christ continually compel me to live for Your kingdom, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, help me to spend and be spent faithfully until I finish my assignment and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall receive a fresh burden for the salvation of souls.
2. Your heart shall be filled with the compassion of Christ for the lost, broken, and needy.
3. You shall receive grace to use your time, strength, gifts, and resources for the advancement of God's kingdom.
4. You shall not become weary in doing the work of God.
5. Every resource committed to the gospel through you shall produce eternal fruit.
6. You shall receive strength to remain faithful even when your sacrifice is not appreciated.
7. You shall raise disciples who will become faithful labourers in the harvest.
8. The love of Christ shall continually compel you to serve beyond your comfort zone.
9. Your labour for souls shall not be in vain, and your ministry shall produce lasting spiritual fruit.
10. You shall spend and be spent for Christ, finish your assignment faithfully, and receive the reward of a faithful servant.
