GIVING AS CHRIST GAVE
2 Cor. 8:9
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Cor. are a discussion of the third case
of benevolence for the Jerusalem church.
1. In chapters 2, 4, and 6 of Acts, there were poor members
who needed help and the church in Jerusalem had the
resources to take care of its own without any outside help.
2. About ten years later, as recorded in Acts 11:27-30, an
entirely different situation arose. The church in Antioch
sent relief to help the poor saints in Judea.
3. The third case happened about fifteen years later, or about
twenty-five years after the events in Acts 2.
a. The Jerusalem church did not have the resources to take
care of its own and, thus, other churches aided it. Rom.
15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-3
b. In 2 Cor. 8 and 9, Paul is encouraging the Corinthian
church to take part in this giving.
B. We want to look at only one verse, and one of the reasons he
encourages them to give liberally. 2 Cor. 8:9
1. Thus, Paul wants them to consider Jesus as they purpose
their giving.
2. We need to do the same.
I. HOW RICH WAS JESUS?
A. He was on an equality with God before He came to this world.
1. John 17:5 - He decided to give it up and come and die on the
cross to provide redemption for mankind.
2. Phil. 2:5-6 - He left His place in heaven and came to earth.
B. In considering how rich He was, remember that He was the
Creator.
1. John 1:1-3 - All things were made through Him.
2. Heb. 1:1-2 - God the Father made the worlds by God the
Son.
3. Col. 1:15-17 - The worlds continue to be held together by
Him.
C. Remember, too, that He is owner of everything that exists.
Psalm 50:10-15
1. God owns everything and the same can be said of Jesus
Christ. 1 Cor. 10:26
D. How rich was Jesus? He was equal with God, co-creator with
Him and the Holy Spirit of everything that was ever made.
II. HOW POOR DID HE BECOME?
A. Phil. 2:5-6
1. Being a man is a long way from being on equality with God.
2. He emptied Himself, making Himself of no reputation.
a. He divested Himself of the glory and blessings that He
had when in heaven.
3. He took the form of a servant. He went from being Master
and Ruler over all, to being servant of all. Matt. 20:26-28;
John 13:3-5
a. You would think that His disciples would have washed
His feet.
b. When we think of the Lord of heaven and earth, who
created all things, doing this, we begin to see how poor
He became.
4. "And coming in the likeness of men."
a. John 1:1,14 - He took on a fleshly body.
b. Rom. 8:1-4 - Though He Himself was not sinful, He
came in the likeness of sinful flesh.
(1) "For God to become a man," as someone has said,
"is similar to a man becoming a worm."
c. Heb. 2:14-18 - Jesus took on flesh that He might
provide these blessings:
(1) Deliverance from the fear of death.
(2) Gives aid to the seed of abraham.
(3) A merciful and faithful High Priest.
(4) Propitiation for our sins.
(5) Aid to those who are tempted.
d. Consider how poor Jesus was when here on earth.
(1) Luke 2:7 - He was wrapped in swaddling clothes
(strips of cloth), and laid in a manger (a feeding
trough for animals).
(2) Luke 2:21-24 - One was to give a lamb, but the
Law made an exception for the poor - two doves
or pigeons. Lev. 12:6,8
(3) Luke 9:58 - He had no interspring mattress or
water-bed to sleep on. He had no air-conditioned
car to take Him from place to place. When He
died, the only thing He owned was the clothes on
His back.
B. Paul added, vs. 8 of Phil. 2.
1. Without doubt, the greatest example of poverty is seen in
His death on the cross.
2. Jesus dreaded and feared death just as any other human
being.
3. Heb. 5:7-9 - This no doubt refers to the time He prayed in
Gethsemane.
a. He prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from
me."
b. However, the plan of the ages was that He die to
redeem man.
(1) Man had sinned. God could not overlook sin. God
wanted a way to bring sinful man back to Him
without overlooking sin. The way was through
Jesus. Through Jesus, God has been proven to be
both merciful and just. Through Jesus, God
demonstrates both His detest of sin and His love
for man.
(2) Rom. 3:23-26; 5:6-10
4. Let's take time to read the account of the crucifixion.
Matt. 27:27-50
5. Thus, Jesus, the possessor of heaven and earth became poor.
He became a baby, was wrapped in swaddling clothes and
laid in a manger. The Son of God, who was everlasting to
everlasting, had no place to lay His head. He took a towel
and began to wash His disciples feet. The One who had been
with God in glory through eternity, lived to see every
person forsake Him. Even God the Father forsook Him when He
died because Jesus said, "My God, My God, why hast thou
forsaken me?" Thus, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace
wore the crown of thorns, went to a place called Golgotha,
and there was crucified on a cross for the sins of the
world. He did it willingly; He did it for you and me. John
10:11, 15-18
III. JESUS BECAME POOR THAT WE MIGHT BE RICH.
A. As Paul tried to get these Corinthians to give, He wanted them
to think how rich they had become.
B. To think about how rich we have become, we need to think about
how poor we once were.
1. A Christian couple once adopted a small boy, who, when
they took him in, owned only the old rugged clothes that he
was wearing. Once in a great while, when the boy was very
bad, the parents would pull out those old rugged clothes and
remind him of what he once had as compared to now. He
now had parents who loved him, plenty clothes to wear,
plenty of good food, his own room, a multitude of
possessions, etc. This was very effective in causing the boy
to try to do better.
2. Jesus went from riches to poverty so we could go from
poverty to riches.
a. We were so poor that we were dead in trespasses and
sins. Eph. 2:1
b. We were so poor that we were without hope and with
God in the world. Eph. 2:12
c. We were so poor that we were sinners doomed to
eternal damnation.
d. We were so poor that Jesus had to die for us that we
might not perish.
3. How rich have we become? 1 John 3:1
a. We are free from sin. Eph. 1:7
b. We don't need to worry anymore. Phil. 4:6
c. We don't need to fear death anymore. Heb. 2:14
d. No one in this world is richer than the child of God. He
has been freed from sin, he has peace with God, a peace
that surpasses understanding.
4. When a person obeys the gospel, all of his sins are washed
away.
a. The same is true of the Christian who repents. 1 John
1:9 The past is removed completely and God never
holds it against him.
5. We lack the ability to describe how rich we are, as redeemed
members of the family of God, as Christians.
Concl.
A. We ought to give liberally of our material things, because
Jesus gave Himself for us. 2 Cor. 8:9
B. Thus, as the first day of the week comes, we need to purpose in
our heats, in view of how rich we are through Christ.
C. To those who are not members, consider how rich you can
become.