JESUS BECAME POOR TO MAKE US RICH

Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:8-15

Key verse: 9

NIV

8 I am not commanding you,(A) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(C) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(D) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(E)

10 And here is my judgment(F) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(G) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(H) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(I) not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(J) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[a](K)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

8 (A)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (B)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter (C)I give my judgment: (D)this benefits you, who (E)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable (F)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply (G)their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, (H)“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Think about Jesus (8-9)

When we remember Jesus, our sacrifices look small. Jesus gave up the glory, power and privilege of heaven to come and live among men. He was born in a manger; he had no house or car or computer. He served others: He touched and healed lepers; he cast out demons; he forgave prostitutes and tax collectors and endured criticism from 'good' people. He died in agony as a criminal on a Roman cross to give us the spiritual riches of forgiveness of sin, peace with God, eternal life and the kingdom of heaven.

2. Think about others (1

-15)

The believers in Jerusalem were poor and persecuted. At first, the Corinthians had been eager to help; but their enthusiasm had flagged. Paul encouraged them to overcome selfishness and finish what they had started. Giving should be done with a willing heart. There should be equality--no one should have too much and no one too little.

Prayer: Lord, help me to follow Jesus. Help me to think of others before myself. Help me to give and serve with a willing heart.

One Word: You know the grace of our Lord