Spare No Expense

 

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

—Romans 8:31-32

Some men will stop at nothing to buy their bride-to-be the most expensive engagement ring that they can afford, either using cash on hand or borrowing a significant amount of money. Those with plenty of means will stop at nothing to provide their children with the best education in the world.

In contrast, we watch the thousands of children marching across the U.S. southern border. Their parents have given all their meager funds to “buy” a chance for freedom and a better life for these young ones. They have paid unscrupulous gangsters to transport their children, not knowing for certain whether or not their loved ones will arrive safe and unharmed.

Perhaps you know parents who have sold everything to allow their child the best medical treatment possible for a cure for cancer. You may know parents who have sacrificed for years in order to send their children to top-rated colleges or universities. Or, perhaps you know ordinary hard-working people who have taken out a second mortgage on their houses in order to save their businesses during this stressful economic time. Certainly, we can find plenty of examples of desperate people spending all they have to achieve some goal or to acquire almost impossible things.

In 1 Kings 17:7-24 we read of the widow of Zarephath who had only a handful of flour and a little oil for herself and her son. But, on Elijah’s request, this poor woman baked a small cake for Elijah to eat. In her obedience of faith, she gave everything.

Likewise, in Mark 12:41-44, we read the account where Jesus watched a widow place her meager offering of two small coins into the temple treasury. She gave all that she had on which to live in order to be faithful to the God whom she knew loved her.

Of course, the greatest example of sparing no expense comes from the sacrifice of our God in giving the best He has, His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In giving this Sacrifice to die a cruel death on the Roman cross of torture, the Father gave the only person who could achieve the blameless and sinless standard of righteousness that He requires. God did this amazingly sacrificial act that He might bring “many sons to glory.” He gave all! And, He did this for us—for those whom He loved.

And, what does this Greatest Sacrifice require of us? Read here the words of Jesus from Matthew 10:37-39:

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

God expects His children to spare no expense in following Him, in using our means and our money, in giving our time and our obedience. I remember a little ditty from childhood that captures these thoughts: ¹

After all He’s done for me,
after all He’s done for me,
How can I do less than give Him my best,
and live for Him completely,
After all He’s done for me.

______________________

1 Daasvand, Betsy and Loveless, Wendell. “After All He’s Done for Me.” Carol Stream, Illinois: Hope Publishing, 1940.