The Impoverishment of Jesus

God loves a cheerful giver. He promises He will abound in grace toward us, so that we will have enough of everything to enable us to abound in every good work!

When we give to the needs of others, we not only help them in their want, but we also provoke thanksgiving to God in them. Not only so, but our giving is evidence of our subjection to the Gospel.

But in these modern times, we hear talk about "setting boundaries" and shutting out those who are "too needy." While Scripture warns against feeding those who will not work, we must be careful to discern whether our refusal to help others is out of true love for them, or just to excuse our hard hearts.

Paul provokes the Corinthians by pointing out the example of the poor Macedonian brethren who gave joyfully in their own poverty. He exhorts the Corinthians to abound in giving just like they abound in other spiritual gifts.

But then Paul goes further: he commends the Lord Jesus as our example of giving. We complain that we might lose our comfort and security if we give sacrificially, but Jesus gave it all up for us. "Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich!"

We cannot know what glories and riches Christ gave up for us until we see Him one day in Glory. Then we will know how much He sacrificed to save us!

What if the Lord Jesus had "set boundaries" to shut us out? What if He had been careful not to bankrupt Himself for our salvation? What if He had been "reasonable" about His sacrifice?

Then we would be forever lost. Thank God, Jesus is our true role model in giving to help others!

Oh that the Spirit would work in us an increase in righteousness!