2 Corinthians 8- Rich in Christ?

Unashamed of Jesus

Jul 31

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

I heard many people twist this verse "He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor" many false teachers will use this verse to promote or justify their prosperity gospel. As we know, Jesus didn't own anything during this Earthly ministry as Jesus said "The Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20) Christ literally relied on God the Father for everything during his Earthly ministry to provide for him

So what does Paul mean by this statement "He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor" Well if you understand who Jesus Christ is, it makes perfect sense. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14) the Son of God, part of the Triune God, Christ is the eternal Creator of the world. So how did Jesus become poor?

The Apostle Paul's teaching in Philippians 2 gives us a deeper understanding,

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8

Jesus, who is God, lowered himself below the angels, to become a man, to die for the sins of His creation (Hebrews 2:7) Think about that, God becoming a human to save us from the wages of our sins. How much do you think God loves us? Well He demonstrated it on the cross (Romans 5:8) if there is any question whether God loves you or not, look at the cross, look at what Christ has done for you!

Through his (Christ) poverty (death on the cross), we might be rich (justified). The only reason we can be justified and inherit eternal life, it because Christ layed down his life for us on the cross, Christ became spiritually poor, and made us spiritually rich, by the gift of the Holy Spirit

Let's just meditate on this one verse today and understand what God has done for you, Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the death on the cross, for your sins! For my sins, for our sins, our sins put the Son of God on the cross! But the love God bestowed to us, that he was willing to become poor in spirit to deliver us from the wrath of our sins.

When you understand , you understand why nothing else in this world matter except the gift of grace given to us by God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, Amen!