The One Who Was Rich Became Poor To Make Us Rich

-December 24, 2022-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

(2 Corinthians 8:9).

Jesus was born in this world as the eternal Son of God, the King, the Prince of life and glory, the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. He left heaven’s glory and splendor to enter this world in poverty. His earthly father Joseph was a carpenter, and He worked in father’s carpenter’s shop up until the age of thirty. He had no money, for when Peter asked about paying the temple tax, He told him to go fishing and that the first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth; with it Peter should pay the tax for both of them.

He who was rich became poor that we who were poor might become rich. Though He was fully God, He veiled His deity in a body of humanity. He went through all that we go through, yet without sin. He took off as it were His royal, kingly garments and stooped down to our level. The hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote, “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’”

Christ laid aside His glory to bring to us salvation’s story. Through His poverty, we have become rich in salvation, eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, and every spiritual blessing in Him. As believers we are the richest people on earth. Some Christians are rich in this world’s goods, others are poor, and the vast majority are right in the middle; but no money or possessions can compare to our riches in Christ. We are so blessed! The person who fears God and delights in His commandments, is blessed. Psalm 112:3 says of this person, “Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Sometimes we live in spiritual poverty instead of appropriating God’s riches to the full.

Let us thank the Lord that He came, became poor, died on the cross, and rose again. May we claim all His promises and our inheritance in Christ. Have a blessed Christmas Eve. Stay safe and healthy.

Praising our Savior from beginning to end, our Blessed Master and our greatest Friend,

Dean