In II Corinthians, chapters eight through nine, Paul is teaching about the grace of giving. In II Corinthians 8:9, Paul specifically mentions the Lord Jesus Christ as the great example of grace and giving. He ends this discussion with the thankful statement that God's grace / gift to us is beyond words of description (II Corinthians 9:15 - "unspeakable / indescribable / inexpressible - gift" cp. Ephesians 3:8 - "unsearchable / unfathomable / boundless - riches of Christ"). Let's more carefully explore II Corinthians 8:9.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (II Corinthians 8:9)

Jesus was rich. He became poor for our sakes.

Grace, Love, Humility all are words to describe what it took for Jesus to become a man and provide our salvation - our union with God.

• Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ was equal with God. He had all His attributes. But He was willing to make Himself of no reputation. He emptied Himself. Christ laid aside His glory. He took on the form of a human servant. He humbled Himself. He obediently sacrificed Himself and died on the cross.



• John 1:1-3, 10-11, 14, 17 - Christ, our Creator, exposed Himself to His creation and was rejected of men. When He became a man, He revealed divine glory, grace, and truth. He gave grace and truth to men.

Through Jesus' poverty, we became rich.

The grace and truth that He gave men (John 1:17) begins to show us the wealth we receive from Christ. The same Greek word is translated "grace" or "gift." Moses gave us truth through the law, but that did not give man the ability to change himself. Jesus gave us "grace and truth." Now, man can be transformed - born again by receiving life and power through the truth of the gospel. Despite our labors, troubles, and financial poverty, Jesus wants us to see ourselves as rich (Revelation 2:9). What is this wealth?

Matthew 11:27-30

• Matthew 11:27 - The ability to know God and have a relationship with Him is our first and greatest treasure (I Peter 3:18; I Corinthians 1:26-31; Jeremiah 9:23-24).



• Matthew 11:28-29 - Rest for our souls. Freedom from worry and fears is a tremendous benefit to life (Philippians 4:4-9). Learning from Christ the grace of humility brings confidence and freedom. We are liberated through serving Him / serving with Him. Note the motivation Paul uses in II Corinthians 10:1.



• Matthew 11:30 - Having union with Christ is to have perpetual fellowship, joy, and help from Him (John 14:15-23; 15:7-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:20-21; I John 1:1-4; 5:20).

Matthew 5:3-12

In the Beatitudes, Christ presents the economy of His Kingdom. Each verse portrays a present reality of our wealth in His kingdom, along with a future wealth that we inherit.

• Matthew 5:3
  Humility / Kingdom of Heaven - now and later



• Matthew 5:4
  Grieving with God / Comfort now - compensation later



• Matthew 5:5
  Meekness / Inherit a new Earth



• Matthew 5:6
  Spiritual hunger / Satisfaction - now and forever



• Matthew 5:7
  Mercy / Mercy - now and forever



• Matthew 5:8
  Pure in heart / Seeing God - now and forever



• Matthew 5:9
  Peace maker / Called the children of God (John 1:12-13; I John 3:1-2)



• Matthew 5:10-12
  Suffering for Christ's sake / Privilege now - great reward in heaven
  (Philippians 1:28-30; 3:10; I Peter 4:12-14)

Colossians 1:3-14
(vs. 12-14) Through our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father has…

• Made us qualified to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light



• Delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son / the Son of His love



• Given us the forgiveness of sins through the redeeming blood