2 Corinthians 8 Devotional

Rich Because He Became 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 (BSB)

Paul begins with grace, not money: the grace God gave the churches of Macedonia, who in a severe trial and deep poverty overflowed in rich generosity (8:1-2). They gave beyond their means and pleaded for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the saints, because they had first given themselves to the Lord (8:3-5). Paul gives no command. He wants to see their love proved genuine (8:8).

Then he gives the reason beneath all Christian giving: the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up his riches and became poor for our sake, so that his poverty would make us rich (8:9). Generosity is not first a duty. It is grace moving through people who have received it. Paul asks for eager willingness according to what each one has, not what he lacks (8:12), and he handles the gift with care so that it is honorable before both the Lord and people (8:20-21). Because Christ has made you rich, you can give from what you have without fear.

To think about: What would it look like for you to give this week out of gratitude for what Christ gave up, rather than out of pressure?