2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) – 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 through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Contemporary English version) – You know our Lord Jesus Christ treated us with undeserved grace by giving up all his riches, so you could become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Good News Translation) – You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
This passage like the rest of the New Testament was originally written in Greek. The word used at the end for us to become rich is plouteo. “The verb “plouteó” primarily refers to the state of possessing wealth or becoming wealthy.” This wealth is both material and spiritual. The passage can be translated as, Jesus died so that we can possess wealth or become wealthy. Which wealth is the next question. Is it material wealth or spiritual wealth or both?
The question on which wealth will be answered by context. What was the Apostle writing about to the Corinthians in this chapter? He was writing to encourage Corinthians to collect material offerings that will help poor believers. He tells them that Macedonians were poor but they still gave material offerings generously. He says that the reason Macedonians were generous is because they were spiritually (see 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NIV) – 1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 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.
Therefore Apostle Paul is writing about both material and spiritual wealth. Spiritual wealth causes us to be generous about material possessions. We cannot share with the poor if we are not spiritually wealthy.
Macedonians were poor materially but pleaded to give that material wealth. The reasons are two. First, they were spiritually wealthy. Secondly, they did not perceive themselves as poor. If you perceive yourself as poor, you are poor even if you possess abundant resources. The poor Macedonians perceived themselves as rich enough to help other poor people. This is positivity of the converted.
There are people with very few resources who are excited and happy because they are positive minded. It is also true that there are people with sufficient resources to be considered among the rich but they are sad because desire for more causes them dissatisfaction. They are sad that they don’t have the latest phone, car, bigger house, more education etc. They are not happy having a phone released two years ago. They want the latest. They are not happy to be in that house or have that car. Their poverty is in the mind. They can’t help others.
Those who are positive and grateful are different. They have the oldest phone, but are grateful because there is a time they had none. They have a very old motor cycle and they are excited because there is a time they wouldn’t dream of having it. They are mentally rich. They easily help other poor people.
Macedonians were materially very poor but mentally rich. They consequently pleaded to help other poor people. They helped other poor people in a generous way. Corinthians were materially wealthier than Macedonians but they had not helped the poor yet. Apostle Paul writes this chapter to encourage them to give.
Therefore what does it take to be generous enough to help the poor and support the church? First, spiritual wealth. Secondly, a positive mentality that helps you view yourself as rich.
Jesus died so that we can be rich. First, rich spiritually. Secondly, rich mentally so that we see our progress albeit small, as sufficient to live positively happy and consider ourselves among the rich. Jesus died so that we can be both materially and spiritually rich.
Luke 12:20-21 (NIV) – 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Rich in the things of God. Rich in prayer all the time. Rich in Bible study all the time. Rich in church attendance. Rich in sharing the gospel with others. Rich in being hopeful and trusting God when things are hard. Rich in being positive under difficult circumstances. Rich in matters spiritual. Spiritually rich!
Material riches begins with the state of mind. If you think you are rich, you are rich. You have peace of mind. You are comfortable. You enjoy where you are and what you have. You are grateful that God has brought you this far. You are not obsessed with what you lack but excited for what you have. You sleep happily and soundly. You are comfortable among other people and you don’t compare with them but with your own past. You are rich. Very rich. You can support the church and help the poor.
A mentally rich person is better than a person with so much material possessions and accumulation of wealth, but isn’t happy because they desire more. When a person has a lot but is sad and anxious and restless and uncomfortable for want of more. That person is poor though possessing abundant material possessions. This person may not support the church nor help poor people.
We need both spiritual wealth and material wealth. Jesus died so that we can have both. Rich in the things of God and positive about how far God has brought us materially. Jesus died so that we can become rich!
Positivity about material wealth is not laziness, mediocrity and lack of ambition. Positivity is being comfortable with today as we aggressively work for tomorrow. Spiritually wealthy people are not lazy. They are industrious and hardworking, but positive about the progress made today.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Good News Translation) – You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
Jesus was rich. He lived in heaven. Owned the world. These are material. He left all that and came to posses nothing. He lived as a poor person.
Jesus was born in a manger as a poor person. He had no house as a poor person. The richest became the poorest so that we can be rich.
Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) – 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 9:58 (NIV) – Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Jesus lived a materially poor life on earth. This is because He was to be a Savior of all people both rich and poor. He was rich yet for our sake He became poor, so that we might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) – 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 through his poverty might become rich.
It is the will of God that you and me become rich. Jesus suffered in poverty and died a cruel death, so that we can be rich spiritually and materially. When we get to heaven, the wealth we will posses is material. We will get to heaven because of the death of Jesus. When we get to heaven we will be materially rich. Therefore, the death of Jesus would have made us rich!
As we wait for eternal life, let us live a rich life here and now. Let us be rich spiritually. Let us be rich materially by being positive about what we have and hardworking in our pursuits. May God help us to be richer today, in Jesus’s name, Amen!
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Amen..
Amen!