The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ ( The Meaning Of Offering 1 ), Ron Ward
CHRIST BECAME POOR TO MAKE US RICH
Passage: 2_Corinthians 8:1~9  
Key verse: 9
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)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
Cross references
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 : S Ac 16:9
- 2 Corinthians 8:2 : Ex 36:5; 2Co 9:11
- 2 Corinthians 8:3 : 1Co 16:2
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 : ver 1
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 : S Ac 24:17
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 : S Ac 9:13
- 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 17; 2Co 12:18
- 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 16, 23; S 2Co 2:13
- 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 10, 11
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 : 2Co 9:8
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 : Ro 15:14; 1Co 1:5; 12:8; 13:1, 2; 14:6
- 2 Corinthians 8:8 : 1Co 7:6
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 : S Ro 3:24
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 : 2Co 13:14
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 : Mt 20:28; Php 2:6-8
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 : 2Co 6:10
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
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