For serious bible students (1)

For serious bible students (1)
2 Corinthians 8:9-A simple study
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
[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.
Does this verse of scripture promise believers material
wealth?
A fundamental rule of bible interpretation is to study in
context and the use of corroborative texts.
Three words need clarification here, grace, and rich.
(Rich and poor will be defined together )
So let's read in context
2 Corinthians 8:1-8 KJV
[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of
God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia
Grace was first mentioned as touching the church in
Macedonia
; [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.
This church had grace yet were poor materially but yet
their giving was referred to as riches .
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond
their power they were willing of themselves;
He describes this grace as giving even beyond their
ability .
[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.
He commends their attitude that despite not having
enough the grace upon their lives was unique in how
they gave
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had
begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace
also.
Titus was sent to Corinth to build them up so they can
function in this grace of giving .
[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.
The church in Corinth was commended for faith
,diligence and love and admonished to excel in the grace
of giving just like Macedonia ( who were poor )
8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the
forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your
love.
He isn't commanding only showing examples of the
grace of giving
Now to verse 9
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
[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.
Contextually the grace is to give even in the state of
poverty .
Jesus made us rich when he was poor ,the church in
Macedonia made others rich whilst they poor .
Clear ?
Now to the word rich .
Without qualms the term rich couldn't have meant
material riches even though he's teaching material
giving.
The second verse depicts that,they were materially poor
but spiritually rich ..
John used the same illustration of Jesus's sacrifice to
teach giving
1 John 3:16-17 KJV
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God , because he
laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.
17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him?
The spiritual used to encourage material giving .
Read James
James 2:5 KJV
[5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen
the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the
kingdom which he hath promised to them that love
him?
Rich spiritually but not materially
Revelation 3:17 KJV
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,
and naked:
Same .
Paul will elsewhere use an adjective
1 Timothy 6:17-18 KJV
[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they
be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in
the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Rich in this world (normal for both believer and non-
believer) ,however rich in good works ,that's for
believers.
Note these guys were not givers, hence the exhortation.
The term rich is again used for non-material things,
attitude of giving.
It flows with ALL texts examined so far .
Rich wasn't material there, as Paul was teaching Jesus
in His riches was made poor .
very similar text to 2 Corinthians 5:21, Became sin .
Through His sacrifice of death We are made enriched to
act in His stead .
Now let's quickly view Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:19 KJV
[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to
his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The term riches in glory
Ephesians 1:18 KJV
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and
what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints,
Obviously not material .
Ephesians 3:16 KJV
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of
his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in
the inner man;
Riches of His glory refers to the Indwelling of the Spirit,
not money
So back to Philippians 4:19
Paul was commending giving .
Philippians 4:15-18 KJV
[15] Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning
of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only.
16] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again
unto my necessity.
17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that
may abound to your account.
18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent
from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, well pleasing to God.
His ( Paul )needs were supplied by the spiritual riches
of believers ( giving ) which is the riches in glory
Hence God will supply their needs too by the liberality
of other believers just like his.
Not some imported interpretation.
Needs are met via industry
2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV
[10] For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you, that if any would not work, neither
should he eat.
Work !
Ephesians 4:28 KJV
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him
labour, working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Honest work .
Others have their needs met by the giving by other
saints ( riches in glory by christ Jesus ).
This verse in context refers to needs being met by the
gifts of other saints .
This is in tandem with other texts
Acts 2:44-46 KJV
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all
things common;
45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted
them to all men , as every man had need.
46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did
eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 4:34-35 KJV
[34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for
as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold
them, and brought the prices of the things that were
sold,
35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and
distribution was made unto every man according as he
had need.
Acts 6:1 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples
was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews, because their widows were
neglected in the daily ministration.
Acts 11:28-30 KJV
[28] And there stood up one of them named Agabus,
and signified by the Spirit that there should be great
dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in
the days of Claudius Caesar.
29] Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which
dwelt in Judaea:
30] Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the
hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 20:34-35 KJV
[34] Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have
ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were
with me.
35] I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring
ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.
Romans 15:26-27 KJV
[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia
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.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 KJV
[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.
Galatians 2:10 KJV
[10] Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
Galatians 6:10 KJV
[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
unto all men , especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.
Ephesians 4:28 KJV
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him
labour, working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth.
If you read through well u will see how God supplied the
needs of the saints according to the riches of His glory
,the giving of saints .
Its sad most scriptures written to teach us to help
others have been converted into our selfish prosperity
verses.
The poor were not told to sow to go up ,there needs
were met according to His riches in glory in other
believers Called giving !
Hence James rebuke
James 2:15-16 KJV
[15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of
daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in
peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give
them not those things which are needful to the body;
what doth it profit?
When a brother is in need u don't lay hands or ask to
connect ,u meet his needs .
So Paul's use of the Spiritual to explain the natural in
giving in 2 Corinthians 8:9 isn't peculiar to him
Even John as reiterated earlier
1 John 3:16-17 KJV
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God , because he
laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.
17] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him?
Just like 2 Corinthians 8:9, Jesus death teaches
,empowers us and leads us giving to others not for
prosperity .
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is used elsewhere
2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
[14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you
all.
Amen.
Non material.
Romans 16:24 KJV
[24] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
Galatians 6:18 KJV
[18] Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:23 KJV
[23] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Ephesians 6:24 KJV
[24] Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Philippians 4:23 KJV
[23] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 KJV
[28] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Amen.
Not material but His love and sacrifice
God blesses us materially but the above texts teach
giving to meet the needs of others not yours !
Hope this is clear ?
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord,we win