“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
– 2 Corinthians 8:9
Main Thought: The apostle Paul in the first part of this chapter speaks of the richness and sacrificial giving which the Macedonian churches had done, even in the midst of affliction and poverty, giving generously for the needs of others and other churches. Paul says this was an act of grace (2 Cor. 8:1) and urges the Corinthian church to excel in this grace also. To magnify this giving, and the excelling nature of it, Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in coming to this earth. None of us can imagine what Christ left when he departed from heaven, but Paul uses the word rich here, which in the original language means abounding with wealth. He is not speaking of material wealth as we would imagine, but he is speaking of the glories, the splendors, and the exaltation that surrounded Christ in heaven because he was the eternal Son of God. It was a place without sin, without pain, a place of eternal holiness, love, and communion with God the Father, but he left there and humbled Himself and as is said here, He became poor. The word poor does not really convey what is meant here; in the original Greek, it means that Christ became like a beggar, like an indigent person on the street, begging for bread. Remember that when a scribe told him “I will follow you wherever you go” Jesus’ reply was “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matt. 8:19-20), revealing the poverty of Christ’s earthly life. Yes, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their earthly poverty was nothing compared to the poverty of our Lord, who gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of earth, giving up the privileges and glory of heaven. Why did Jesus do this? “So that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Here is the answer; here is the reason, so that we who were destitute, in the poverty and the slavery of sin with no hope of inheritance, might become the sons of God and inherit the riches of salvation and heaven. Paul said in Ephesians 1:7 that “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Those riches belong to us now, we possess them in this present day and we know that because of the promises of His Word, we can know that the riches of heaven are ours also because we have been sealed as a guarantee by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14), the Spirit who indwells every believer (Rom. 8:16). Because Christ became poor for us, we are rich as the children of God because of His grace, beyond anything we can imagine or dream of; one day we will abide in the richness of the new heavens and new earth that have been promised to all who ever believe on Him by faith. May each of us who know Christ thank him for the riches we have because of the poverty He took upon Himself, the eternal and spotless Son of God.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19