2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
This is my favorite prosperity scripture.
Jesus became poor so that you through his poverty might be rich. What could be plainer than that? What could be gooder news to the poor than that? And yet most Christians, and some quite vehemently, deny what it plainly says. I've had people in my own church, I'm thinking of one lady right now, people who love me and greatly enjoy my ministry, say to me, “But pastor you know that scripture doesn’t really mean that.”
No, it means precisely that.
I'm pretty sure that even the "Prosperity Gospel" haters would agree, if they'd pause seething and fulminating long enough to think about it, that Jesus has redeemed us from poverty. Now, they might believe that we won't get to experience this redemption until we get to heaven or until Jesus returns, but if they don't agree that the work of Jesus includes the redemption of mankind from poverty they leave themselves with two uncomfortable choices. Either, Jesus redemption of mankind is incomplete and the problem of poverty, that entered into the world at the beginning will continue with us forever, or Jesus redemption of mankind is insufficient and something more powerful than the death and resurrection of Jesus must happen to complete our redemption. Put differently, if God becoming man, dying on the Cross and rising from the dead, isn't sufficient to redeem the world from poverty, what is?
If Jesus has redeemed mankind from poverty then there can be very little objection to taking this scripture at face value, Jesus became poor so we could be rich. You might argue that it's for a time not yet and I might argue that it is for now, but that's a completely different argument.
What Does The Word "Rich" Mean?
Looking at the scripture itself, the words translated "rich" (The oldest known copies of 2 Corinthians are written in the Greek language.) mean rich. According to the Liddell, Scott Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon,: The "rich" in, "though he was rich," means," rich, wealthy, opulent…." Think of that for a second, Jesus was rich, wealthy, opulent… how un-spiritual of him.
The "rich" in "that you… might be rich," means, "… to be rich, wealthy…" Jesus became poor so that you might be wealthy.
The Bible use of those words usually follows the normal meaning of "rich." (First rich: Mt 19:23,24; 27:57; Mr 10:25; 12:41; Lu 6:24; 12:16; 14:12; 16:1,19,21,22; 18:23,25; 19:2; 21:1; 2Co 8:9; Eph 2:4; 1Ti 6:17; Jas 1:10,11; 2:5,6; 5:1; Re 2:9; 3:17; 6:15; 13:16,Second rich: Lu 1:53; 12:21; Ro 10:12; 1Co 4:8; 2Co 8:9; 1Ti 6:9,18; Re 3:17,18; 18:3,15,19.)
What Was Paul Talking About?
The context of the scripture also indicates that Paul means "rich" in the normal sense. If Paul had been writing to the people of Corinth about walking in love and in the middle of that discourse he wrote, ‘Jesus became poor so that you could be rich,’ then we might reasonably conclude that when he used the word “rich” he was talking about something to do with love. If Paul had been teaching about the gifts of the Holy Spirit we’d probably be right in thinking that he meant “rich” in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We would be correct in assuming that, even though the words "rich" and "poor" would seem really odd in that context.
So what is Paul talking about? Chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians are all about money. Paul is writing to raise money from the Corinthian Christians to help the Christians at Jerusalem who are going through difficult economic times. Paul had already written to them about this in his first letter to the Corinthians:
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 16:1-3, KJV).
In the book of Romans he mentions he has already collected the offering and is on his way to Jerusalem to deliver it:
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia (i.e. Corinth) to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:25-27, KJV).
But here, in his second letter to the Corinthians Paul is still writing to tell them to get the offering ready and to be generous:
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
What Is The Grace Of God Paul Wants Them To Have?
Just a brief note about the word “grace” since it is used throughout this passage of scripture. Evangelicals tend to reflexively interpret “grace” as unmerited favor, but it can have several different meanings. In the Eastern Orthodox style of Christianity, for example, they refer to “the grace of God” as one of the “energies of God,” by which they seem to mean God working in us, or on us. (Here's a link to an article which discusses this in PDF format.) Perhaps another way to say it is, God giving us power to be like Him, to act as He would act. That’s the meaning here. The churches of Macedonia had been unreasonably generous because this grace of God had come upon them. Paul continues by describing this generosity.
Grace is that which pleases, that which brings joy, that which causes people to like you, that which cause people to give thanks. So in Spanish the word for thanks is "gracias" and the word for grace is "gracia." So in English we say "grace" before we eat. Paul calls their giving grace because their giving brings joy to people. He calls it "the grace of God" because this generosity, givingness, kindness, liberality is one of the chareterics of God, it's one of God's personality traits. God is a big time giver.
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:1-6, KJV).
Paul was sending Titus to finish, i.e. to bring to fullness, this grace in the Christians who lived in Corinth, that they too might act with God’s generous nature. How was Titus going to accomplish this? By preaching and teaching about giving until this same grace of God came upon them.
It upsets Christians when preachers talk about giving. Most Christians don’t want this grace of God coming upon them. There are "men" who would rather lead their families to an eternity in hell than give money to a church. There are "Christians" who spend their entire lives dreaming up reasons why it's okay to resist the grace of God in the area of giving and then they can't figure out why it is so difficult to yield to the grace of God in other areas of their life. (Okay! They don't wonder that in those words, they wonder why they can't get their prayers answered, or healed, or prospered. Well, you can't receive the grace of God for answered prayer or healing or prosperity while you are resisting the grace of God. Doh!)
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2 Corinthians 8:7, 8, KJV).
What was the grace that Paul wanted them to abound in? Generosity, charity, giving.
So What's The Context of, Jesus Became Poor So You Could Be Rich?
Now we come to the scripture in question:
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9, KJV).
What is, "…the grace of our lord Jesus Christ…?" Grace is that which brings joy, brings pleasure,
If Paul had been talking about forgiveness of sin before we came to this scripture we would reasonably conclude that he was talking about forgiveness of sin in this scripture as well. That would be reasonable even though the language would seem a bit odd for a discussion of forgiveness of sin. If the context leading up to this scripture had been a discussion of heaven then we would rightly assume that this scripture also referred to heaven even though the language about rich and poor seemed unusual in the context of heaven. But Paul was writing to the Corinthians to be generous in their giving and he was expecting them to give money. It seems reasonable to conclude that in verse 9 he is still talking about money, especially since he uses the words we normally use when talking about money, rich and poor.
The Case Gets Stronger
If you keep reading you'll discover that the case for the word "rich" actually meaning "rich" just gets stronger. Paul doesn’t stop his fund raising at 2 Corinthians 8:9, but continues exhorting them to give as they had promised and also telling them to give according to their ability:
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. (2 Corinthians 8:12-15, KJV).
Then Paul covers a few practical details, e.g. who will come to collect the offering and why they are reliable. He reminds them again that it was they, the Corinthians, who brought up the idea of giving to help the Christians in Jerusalem and Paul had bragged about their generosity to the other churches and so he has sent Titus ahead so they will have their offering ready when Paul arrives so that neither he nor they will be embarrassed.
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia (i.e. the Corinthians.) was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. (2 Corinthians 9:1-5, KJV).
Paul The Prosperity Preacher
Next is the section I want to focus on. Paul enters, what might be called, his "Prosperity Preacher" mode, i.e. Paul tells them that the degree of blessing they will receive from God is dependent on the amount of their giving.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7, KJV).
Here’s that verse from the New Living Translation:
6 Remember this–a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. (2 Corinthians 9:6, NLT).
They are to give according to what they are led to give, not grudgingly, or because it’s expected of them, but cheerfully.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV)
When they do this God will cause all grace to abound toward them so that they may always have all sufficiency in all things. Isn’t that what it means to be rich, i.e. having all sufficiency in all things? Isn’t that what it means to be prosperous?
Here’s the Amplified Bible on that verse:
And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation] (2 Corinthians 9:8, Amplified Bible).
"…every favor and earthly blessing,"
not just come to you, but come to you in abundance.
Wow!
"…possessing enough to require no aid or support…"
Wow and Wow.
"…furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation."
Wow! Wow! Wow! Always having an abundance, more than you need, so you can give to every good work. Isn’t that the very definition of rich?
Wait a second… who is it that does this? Surely it must be the devil because God’s definitely not interested in those kind of things…is he? But it says, “And God is able ….”
And Paul's Still Not Finished!
Paul cites a passage from the Hebrew scriptures, from the 112th Psalm, as his proof that God will prosper them because of and to the degree of their generosity:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. (2 Corinthians 9:9, KJV).
Here’s the entire Psalm, I've emphasized a portion:
1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. (Psalms 112:1-10, KJV).
The Complete Jewish Bible, by David H. Stern, has a better take on 2 Cor 9:9:
9 as the Tanakh says, "He gave generously to the poor; his tzedakah lasts forever."(2 Corinthians 9:9, CJB)
The CJB uses tzedakah in place of the literally correct Greek “his righteousness” because the word used in the 112th Psalm, the Psalm Paul is quoting, is "tzedakah" the Hebrew word usually translated "righteousness." This is a better translation because, both in Jesus day and even today among the modern Jewish people, tzedakah means something more like charity or alms than our English understanding of righteousness. (This is a huge and hugely important subject which I can't adequately explain here, so you're just going to have to take my word and that of the translators of the NRSV for it.)
The translators of the New Revised Standard Version, in a footnote, also follow this understanding and so suggest “benevolence” in place of righteousness.
9 As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness {Or benevolence} endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9, NRSV).
Which makes more sense than our normal understanding of “righteousness.” Here are the next two verses from the NRSV
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. {Or benevolence} 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; (2 Corinthians 9:10, 11, NRSV).
Translated correctly you can see that Paul is saying their "tsedekah," their alms giving, their benevolence, their charity will cause them to reap a harvest of financial blessing.
Here’s my favorite translation of verse 11, from the New International Version:
11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11, NIV).
"You will be made rich in every way…" I love that. Of course, as a prosperity preacher, I can love that, how sad that there are some who can’t.
Conclusion
So Paul tells the Corinthians that God will bless them according to the amount they give, that if they give generously and with a right heart, God’s blessing will cause them to have all sufficiency in all things, they will be made rich in every way, so that they can be generous on every occasion. That’s the context of 2 Corinthians 8:9.
Paul doesn't seem to think that God prospering people is particularly unusual or that being rich is something to be avoided. The very least a prudent person would conclude is that it is not unreasonable to conclude that 2 Corinthians 8:9 means what it plainly says.
So based both on the meaning of the words that Paul chose to use and on the context in which he is writing, it seems reasonable to conclude that Paul really meant that Jesus became poor so that we through his poverty might be rich.
The real question is, why are so may Christians certain that this scripture does not mean what it plainly says? As we'll see in a future chapter, the explanation has much more to do with the influence of Greek Philosophy on Christian Theology than with anything written in the Bible.
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1 Timothy 5:17 NLT Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
Thanks
i like your teachings on prosprity thank you for teelling the thruth!!