A Season of Sacrifice

Monday Devotional

After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.

2 Corinthians 12:14–15

In my book Authentic Faith I talk about how God once challenged my hesitancy with the words, “What you’re really saying, Gary, is that you’re willing to act like a Christian so long as it doesn’t cost you anything.”

I’ve found the same principle at work in my parenting. I love many things about being a dad, but I sometimes have difficulty accepting the fact that parenting often costs me something. That’s the principle Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 12:14–15: “After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.” Though Paul is discussing finances, the extension is obvious: Parents should sacrifice on behalf of their children.