Being spent

It seems to me that much of the Christian life finds its "peak" in serving and giving financially. That's what churches teach and model, and what they expect. It's needed and vital — but that's the floor, not the ceiling. It's the starting line.

We're taught to give our skills and our gifting, but we're not really taught to give ourselves. And giving yourself is what disciple-making actually is.

What churches lack isn't people who get involved, who help, who do the ministries. Churches lack people who give themselves to people. A person can pour out their gifts for years and never once hand over their life to another. We've built churches full of doers, but few disciple-makers. We've mistaken usefulness for discipleship.

Plenty of people benefit from our talents. But the question I want to ask is this: who are the people, outside your own family, who have you?

Apostle Paul knew the difference: "We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:8). "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls" (2 Corinthians 12:15).

That's the calling. Higher than serving. Higher than giving. Being spent.