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.