April 22

In II Corinthians 8:9 we are told of the magnitude of Christ’s love for us. It says, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.” This is an amazing and unique act of sacrifice on His part.

We know He died for us, but He sacrificed more than His life, He sacrificed the essence of who He is for us! We are all aware of philanthropists who contribute vast sums of money to benefit the disadvantaged, to further causes that are close to their hearts.

We know that people of enormous wealth have enriched all our lives by their philanthropy. Yet, when the check has been written and the contribution made; when the disadvantaged have received the gift of great magnitude, the wealthy individual whose donation meant so much is still wealthy! This is entirely unlike the unspeakable Gift Jesus gave to us! The gifts of men do not deplete them!

When Christ set aside His deity to become a man, He left behind the wealth of the universe to become poor and humble. He did not bring the trappings of His Godhood with Him! The Word tells us that He had no form or comeliness that we should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2). His love for us compelled Him to leave it all! Should not His love for us compel us to receive all He supplied by His sacrifice?