Everybody is interested in the rags to riches story. We value people who put in the hard work and make something of themselves. At the same time, we often look down upon those who had it all but lost it due to drugs or other bad choices. Most people would choose to be wealthy, but very few people would choose to become poor so that others could become rich. That is what Jesus did. He left the glory of Heaven to become a man on earth, one of the poorest that ever lived.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”
Obsessed with Wealth
Paul reminds the Corinthians, who were obsessed with their wealth, that Jesus gave all up for them. This was foreign to people who wouldn’t even share their communion feast with those who were poor. Paul went so far as to call them gluttons. Now he is rebuking them because they promised to give an offering for the poor in Jerusalem and haven’t come through. The poor in Philippi and Thessalonica had given, but the Corinthians hadn’t after repeated reminders. He wanted them to step up.
Another Level of Joy
We can become selfish in our possessions. It is a struggle with some more than others. Throw in a crisis, and you start to see people’s true colors. Paul reminds us that God has given us money so that we can be good stewards and use it to bless others. We can’t take anything with us when we leave this earth, and the one with the most toys still dies, so let’s choose to use our money for God’s glory. When we do, we discover a whole other level of joy.
Choose to Become Poor
In Matthew 18, we are told to give in such a way that our left-hand does not know what our right hand is doing. That means we don’t draw attention to ourselves or the person we are helping. It also means that it is so natural to us we don’t notice when we do it. Store up your treasures in Heaven rather than on earth. Use your financial resources to bless those who can’t help themselves. Even the poor widow gave all she had.