Eagles defensive end Chris Long is donating his entire 2017 base salary, worth $1 million, to benefit educational charities. Through his foundation he will donate 10 game checks to organizations that support educational equality in the three cities that he has spent his 10-year career: Philadelphia, Boston and St. Louis. Certainly, an example of extreme generosity on his part, and yet as we prepare for Christmas, we are going to look at the ultimate example of generosity – the incarnation and death of Jesus.
The Apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 8:9,
“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.”
Let’s walk through the passage…
“the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”
What’s the difference between grace and mercy?
♦ Ephesians 2:4-5 – But GOD, BEING RICH IN MERCY, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ
◊ Mercy is not receiving punishment you deserve and have earned.
♦ Titus 2:11 – For the GRACE OF GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
◊ Grace is an undeserved gift; receiving something you don’t deserve or haven’t earned.
In many ways it is the grace of Christmas that makes possible the mercy of the Cross of Easter.
“though he was RICH,”
You can combine a historical list of The Richest People in the World, and they together cannot even begin to compare to Jesus Christ, creator of the Universe.
♦ 1:16-17 – “all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
How is Jesus Christ rich?
1. In His Person – for he is God
2. In His Possessions and Position – for He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
3. In His Power – for he can do anything
“he became poor”
Sadly, there are many modern day examples of individuals, often athletes, going from Millionaire to being homeless. However, they didn’t choose to become poor like Jesus!
♦ Person – Philippians 2:7 – “but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”
♦ Possessions and Position – Matthew 8:20 – Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
♦ Power - Matthew 27:39-42 – And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, He saved others; He cannot save Himself He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
(He possessed the power but chose not to use it!)
“so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Prosperity gospel preachers would lead you to believe that God wants everyone to be rich. Not true. And in this instance, Paul is speaking of spiritual riches.
How do we become rich?
Accept what Jesus did!
The late Dr. Donald Barnhouse describes the great paradox of the Christmas story,
“Jesus endured a human birth to give us a new heavenly birth. He occupied a stable that we might occupy a mansion. He had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly father. He became a servant so that we might be free. He left his glory to give us glory. He was poor that we might be rich. He was welcome by shepherds at his birth whereas we at our birth are welcomed by angels. He was hunted by Herod that we might be delivered from the grasp of Satan. This is the great paradox of the Christmas story. It is that which makes it irresistibly attractive. It is the reversal of roles at God’s costs.”
