CHRIST BECAME POOR TO MAKE US RICH

Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Key verse: 9

NIV

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(A) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(B) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(D) in this service(E) to the Lord’s people.(F) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(G) Titus,(H) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(I) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(J)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(K) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

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

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,[a] about the grace of God that has been (A)given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and (B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave (C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly (D)for the favor[b] of taking part in (E)the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they (F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, (G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you (H)this act of grace. 7 But as (I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[c]—(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 (K)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 (L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 Or brothers and sisters
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul tells Corinthian Christians about the grace God has given the Macedonian churches. By doing so, he encourages them to excel in the grace of giving to the churches in Judea. The Macedonian churches gave generously and sacrificially out of overflowing joy in the midst of severe trial and extreme poverty. To them, giving was not a burden, but a privilege. They gave voluntarily. To Paul’s surprise, they gave themselves first of all to the Lord and to others according to God’s will. Paul wanted Corinthian Christians not to love with their words but prove the sincerity of their love by action.

Jesus is the Creator God, the owner of everything, the richest person in the universe, but he became poor when he gave up his power and glory to become flesh. He lived sacrificially to serve all kinds of needy people with no place to lay his head. Finally, he gave his life as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins. We were spiritually bankrupt, but, through his poverty, Jesus enriched us with the grace of forgiveness of sins, meaning, purpose, and much more. Those who know the grace of Jesus are compelled to share what they have with those who are less fortunate. How are we using what God has given us to enrich others?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace which enriched my life beyond my imagination. Help me joyfully and willingly share your blessings with those who are less fortunate.

One Word: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ