Scriptures
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. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Observation
Apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian Church about the grace of God making them rich.
Application
If every Christian fully grasps and executes this verse, poverty may be non-existent in our lives. For context, from historical accounts we know the Corinthian was financially prosperous. Therefore, when Apostle Paul wrote this letter to them, he wrote it based on their reality. How can we bring this into our reality in our present day lives?
Knowledge
First, we must know. Freedom and transformation always begin with knowledge. What must we know? We must know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's subdivide this. Grace is not something we earn or do. It was done on our behalf for us. We just step in to cash in.
There are several graces we receive from our Lord Jesus according to John 1:14. However, the premise for this specific grace is giving us His riches and taking on our poverty. Jesus said it is the truth that we know that would set us free. John 8:32. If we don't know, we can't be free.
This knowledge is beyond head knowledge. It must be experiential. It must be executed. Every decision, our thoughts and financial decisions that we make must be based on this knowledge regardless of what we see. Jesus became poor so that I can be rich. I will not settle for less. There is a grace that makes a Christian rich. Accept, receive, work and walk in that grace by faith.
Exchange Principle
Everything about Christ is an exchange. He knew no sin so that we can become saints (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was afflicted so that I can become healed. If He took my sin so that I become a saint (2 Corinthians 5:21), if He took my sickness so that I could walk in divine health (Matthew 8:17), I also believe that He took my poverty so that I could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Completed
Grace is the finished work of Christ. It was done before I came on the scene over 2,000 years ago. No struggle involved. However, getting this new system of belief into our system takes a while. It would be resisted by the devil, those around us, circumstances, but let God be true and every man be a liar (Romans 3:4). Just continue to confess it, work it, act on it. That is faith. That was what Abraham was commanded to do. Call those things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17).
Work it Out
Now, of course this doesn't mean the only thing the believer does is confess the grace to be rich every day and money suddenly appears. But as you do this, doors would be opened to use the skills, abilities and knowledge that God has given you to become rich. God would direct you to where you can acquire knowledge, people to associate with, He would give you ideas and what you need to become rich.
I am very passionate about Christians becoming financially independent. I wrote about how to do it in my book 42 Financial Independent Laws For Christians.
Prayer Points
- Thank you Lord for this word.
- Father, help me to believe and act this word regardless of what I see in Jesus name.