SEP 19

2 Corinthians 8:9
Memorise 2 Corinthians 8:9
“Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor…”

The churches of Macedonia were not particularly rich even though they gave to the church at Jerusalem. Paul commended them for their liberal giving. It was certainly God’s grace that enabled them to give so willingly of themselves. Now, speaking to the Corinthian church, Paul also desired that they would not be behind other in this grace gift. As they abounded in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, Paul wanted them to abound in this grace, particularly to prove the sincerity of their love for the Lord.

In today’s verse, Paul turns to Christ Himself as the supreme example of generosity because he became poor for our sakes. Paul was speaking not of physical riches, but the riches of Christ’s heavenly existence. Christ became poor, in the sense of his humiliation to become man. This was a voluntary action on His part. He came to this poor earth, was born in a manger, lived a simple life as the son of a carpenter and had nowhere to lay His head. From being Creator of heaven and earth, with all powers given to Him, Christ made “himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7).

A Bible commentator observed that Christ’s sacrifice did not begin on the cross, nor even at birth. It began in heaven, when he laid aside His glory and consented to come to earth. Why did He do it? He did it, Paul says, so that we through His poverty might become rich. We can also say that it was His love for us that He made this sacrifice for us and we must do the same.

Dear teen, we need to cultivate this life of sacrifice and self-denial. The self must die if we are to amount to anything in this life. We need to crucify the sinful self and then it is possible for Christ to increase and self to decrease, day by day. As Christ increases, we are able to deny ourselves in more and more areas of our life. We are able to give up pleasures in order to help someone. We are able to do with less in order to give to the needy brethren. We think we will become poorer but God is able to provide and supply our needs (Philippians 4:19). Are we willing to give up all that we have for Christ’s sake? Do you have this faith? Do you seek to follow Christ? May God give you this grace.

Thought: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth…” (Proverbs 11:24).
Prayer: Gracious loving heavenly Father, may I learn to give cheerfully and willingly to the work of God and to the needy brethren.