Rich and Poor

Rich and Poor

“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

This verse is a powerful proclamation of the deity of Jesus. The first part of the verse says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor.” When it says, “that though he was rich” to what is it referring? It can’t be referring to His time on earth, for in His earthly life Jesus was never rich by the world’s standards. He was born in very humble circumstances, and He grew up as the son of a carpenter. He never held a high-paying job, and He didn’t even have a place to call home.

When it says, “that though he was rich” it can only be referring to His preincarnate existence as God Himself. This humble man, Jesus, is also the great “I Am” the self-existent and eternal one, the creator of heaven and earth. The Bible says, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:3-4). “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1). His riches in glory are immeasurable.

Yet, because He loves us, He willingly laid aside His glorious riches to clothe Himself with humanity and live among us. And then, in the greatest expression of love ever seen, He gave Himself as the atoning sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus became poor for us, so that we, through his poverty, might become rich. He poured Himself out for us to give us what no amount of money can buy—the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life with Him.

Praise the Lord!