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

 

Abundance:

 

            We through His poverty might become rich:

 

2 Corinthians 8:9

9 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.

 

            Most of us would be willing to give up our rags for riches, but what about going the other way? Jesus was willing to give up everything to come to earth as a man and then to die for us. That was kind of like riches to rags. Yet, because He was willing to give up all, He gained more than we can conceive … for Himself and for us. We became rich; not as the world counts riches, but as God counts riches. Sure it would be nice to have a lot of money, but why do you want it? Too many Christians would spend it on themselves. Oh, they would claim to want it to help the Kingdom, but when it came down to it, would they really spend it to further God’s Kingdom or to establish their own? Yes, God does want us to be blessed financially. But He wants us to be blessed spiritually first. Then we will be better able to make good use of the riches He has in store for us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are rich, My children; not as the world counts riches, but as I count them. The riches of this world will soon decay and disappear; but the riches I give will last for eternity. You cannot succeed in this world no matter how hard you try or how many riches you obtain. They will all flee away at the last trumpet. You cannot take them with you when you die, so don’t long for them. I will supply all your needs as you trust Me. You cannot get impatient waiting for Me to meet your needs. I will do it in My time. Abraham did not see all the riches I had for him when I promised them to him. He had to wait until the correct time. Then he saw them in abundance. There is no lack in Me. If you follow My Word, you will succeed in life; not as the world counts success, but as I count it. You can succeed in Me, even though the world thinks you have failed. It’s not that you will be defeated in this life; for I want My people to be successful in this life also; but it is more important to be successful in My Kingdom than to be successful in this world. You will more than succeed if you trust in Me. You will be more than conquerors in Me. You will make others desire to come into My Kingdom as they see your success in Me.”

 

            57. Jesus became poor for me so that I through His poverty might become rich.