The Gain Of Giving

God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Ellen sat across from her college roommate in a booth at a local coffee shop, catching up about Mandy’s mission trip to Guatemala.

“When I gave up my spring break to go to Guatemala, I had no idea that I would actually feel more refreshed at the end of the week than I would have if I’d gone to the beach,” said Mandy.

“Well, you certainly look great,” Ellen replied. “But I thought you were doing physical labor, digging for water and such. Aren’t you exhausted?”

Mandy chuckled. “Well, we actually used machinery to ‘dig’ for the water, but, yes, it was hard work. When I wasn’t involved in digging the well, I was playing with the children or walking with the women to the closest water source. So truthfully, it was an exhausting week.”

Ellen looked pensively at her friend as she continued sharing. Ellen had been sensing God’s call to serve a two-year missionary term after graduating college but had wondered if postponing graduate school that long would be wise. After hearing Mandy’s report on her short-term mission trip, Ellen felt confirmation that the price of putting off grad school would be minimal compared to the eternal impact of obeying God’s call.

“I thought I was making such a sacrifice,” Mandy said as the two gathered their things to leave, “but in the end I gained more than I gave.”

True sacrifice doesn’t consist of self-deprivation for no purpose. Jesus showed us through His death on the cross that sacrifice costs a great deal but ultimately yields something of great value. Jesus’ death, a painful and humiliating price paid by the One who owed absolutely nothing, achieved for us peace with God and eternal life.

If God is asking you to make a sacrifice for His Kingdom, you can know for certain that He will bring great gain from the price you pay.

Rest Assured

Father, I can’t always see the benefit of the sacrifice You call me to, but I can trust You to bring good from it in the end.

Rest in Him: Philippians 2:1-11