Embracing Poverty

Embracing Poverty

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.

II Corinthians 8:9

It is one thing to be born into poverty. It is something else entirely to descend into poverty because of adverse circumstances over which you have no control. It is something else again, to intentionally embrace poverty; that is, to voluntarily renounce great wealth, and to become intentionally poor. This was what Christ did. Our text today declares that Christ ‘became poor.’ This was no mere happenstance. This did not just occur because He had no control over it. Christ’s renunciation of His fabulous wealth; of the adoration of angels; of His unutterably high estate, was in no way an effect of blind fate, or random chance. Our text declares that, ‘though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor.’ This voluntary embracing of poverty ought to impress us very deeply. What magnitude of Character Christ shows us. Consider, please, how high He was, and that He was utterly willing to so thoroughly humble Himself, as to assume such poverty. This must, of necessity, deepen and intensify our love and devotion to Him. This must, by its very example lead us to a voluntary imitation of Him in the infinitely smaller circumstances which we encounter. Our contemplation of Christ, will surely lead us to the imitation of Him Who, ‘for your sake, became poor.’

Our Most Loving and Gracious God,
we praise You for the evidence of Your Holy Character,
that You would descend to meet us,
poor, wretched creatures, at our point of deepest need.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning