Broken Bread and Poured-Out Wine

📖 Insights from The Destitution of Service – Oswald Chambers
📸 Photo Credit: Unsplash

“Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” — 2 Corinthians 12:15

Paul’s service was not calculated, measured, or held back by self-preservation. He poured himself out freely, not seeking affirmation but longing to bring others into fellowship with Christ. His love did not demand a response, nor did his service require recognition. He was content to be spent—joyfully emptied—so that others might gain the fullness of Christ.

This runs contrary to the natural way of thinking. Human love looks for reciprocity, and human service often expects appreciation. But the love of Christ, which filled Paul, seeks no such return. It moves forward with singular devotion to the will of God, finding satisfaction not in personal reward but in the privilege of being used for His purposes.

Jesus Himself set the pattern. Though He was rich, He willingly became poor for our sake (2 Cor. 8:9). He laid aside privilege, taking on the form of a servant, choosing humility, suffering, and rejection—all so that we might be brought near. In this, we see the highest calling of a believer: not to be esteemed, but to be spent. Not to be elevated, but to be given.

A grain of wheat remains alone unless it falls into the earth and dies. But when it surrenders to the process, it bears fruit beyond itself (John 12:24). This is the essence of a life yielded to God—a willingness to be broken and given, not for recognition, but for His glory.

Prayer of Trust

Father, You have poured into us the fullness of Christ, that we might be poured out for Your purpose. You have set before us the example of Jesus, who gave Himself without reserve, and You have placed within us the same life to be expressed in the same way. We trust You to live this out through us, without concern for recognition or return. Every need has already been met in Christ, and every call to serve is an opportunity to display Your sufficiency. May we walk in this reality today, not counting the cost, but rejoicing in the privilege of being spent for Your glory.

Amen.