Campin’ Out
“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 become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 (RV)
This week my wife and I talked about just how our walk cannot be compartmentalized into some moniker such as Word-Faith, Charismatic, Calvinist, or just whatever else you could name. 2 Corinthians 8:9 came up and we had a good laugh. Wikipedia, of all places, sums up the “camps” about this verse (we’re well outside the camps):
“According to Word-Faith theology, financial prosperity and wealth were also included in the Atonement. This is based upon an interpretation of the words of the Apostle Paul: “Yet for your sakes he became poor, that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9) Critics believe Paul was speaking of spiritual riches, rather than material prosperity. Faith proponents support their view by arguing that the context is the giving of material wealth.”
The companion verse is Philippians 2:7,8 which says:
“but emptied himself,taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (RV)
While we certainly know that God desires to bless His kids, it is just as certain for us that it doesn’t turn on 2 Corinthians 9:8. We do not subscribe to the idea that “rich” and “poor” in that verse refer to material things (although Paul is making quite the statement about giving). The context is spiritual, but there’s the rub for practically everyone who doesn’t consider himself to be Word-Faith (if that’s what you want to call it). If you equate “riches” to be spiritual, then it follows that you must equate “poor” to be spiritual also. If you did that some years ago, you were branded a heretic.
Some say that Jesus becoming “poor” spiritually had only to do with His earthly ministry, but I suggest that they check out Psalm 40 (along with Hebrews 2:9 - “should taste [spiritual] death” and many others). Psalm 40:2 says: “He brought me up out of the destroying pit.” (Rotherham) In Hebrews 10:5, Paul quotes Psalm 40:6,7 as being the very words of Jesus:
“Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
But a body didst thou prepare for me;
In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:
Then said, I, Lo, I am come
(In the roll of the book it is written of me)
To do thy will, O God.
For the “earthly ministry” guys, where is the pit?