Calendar

JESUS, THE MASTER GIVER
LORD’S DAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 23
2 Corinthians 8:8-9
Philippians 2:5-8
 
“… he became poor,
that ye through his poverty
might be rich.”
 
JESUS, THE MASTER GIVER
 
Although Paul could easily issue a command for the Corinthian Christians to contribute to the relief fund, he preferred they give cheerfully and willingly from their heart. Thus, he urged them to consider the example of the Macedonian Christians, hoping that the giving of the Macedonians would provoke the Corinthians to also “prove” their love for the saints.
 
The example par excellence however, would have to be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “… that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Cor 8:9). This points to the humility of Christ in His incarnation. Though Christ was infinitely rich as God, yet He humbled Himself to come down to earth as a man, that man may find salvation from his sins. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:5-8). Through the sacrificial giving of Christ, those who believe are now spiritually rich, having been blessed “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3). Indeed, through the poverty of Christ we have become rich. Thus, Calvin said, “The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men may become the sons of God.”
 
Since Christ has given of Himself so that we may have the gracious gift of salvation, surely the Corinthian Christians ought to do the same for the poor saints in Jerusalem in their need. Thus, the Apostle Paul urged them to consider what Christ had done for them, and prove their love by following in the same self-sacrificial spirit of Christ. They ought to place the needs of others above themselves.
 
Christ has set the example in giving. Will you follow?
 
THOUGHT: Christ has given all of Himself for me. What about me?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou give me the mind of Christ.

Search