2 Corinthians 8:9, commentary and pictures

Though He was rich means He was rich before coming to earth in heavenly glory, honor, dominion and eternal riches, one with God, Creator and Commander of angels worshiped by heaven.
For our sakes He became poor by His own voluntary choice, laying aside visible glory, royal robe, crown and high command, veiling divinity and clothing it with sinless humanity to stand at the head of fallen humanity.
That poverty was real earthly lowliness from manger to cross, born to humble parents, working with His hands with nowhere to lay His head, enduring insult, rejection and suffering until He gave His life in shameful death bearing the sins of the world as substitute.
That we through His poverty might be rich means believers are made rich not in houses, lands or gold but in salvation, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, adoption as sons and daughters and heirs of God, and restoration to His likeness.
This infinite sacrifice and unselfish love is the mighty argument and pattern for Christian liberality and self-denying service, calling all, rich and poor, to deny self, consecrate all entrusted means, and give generously to bless the needy and advance the gospel.

Corinthian Appeal Context

The verse stands in Paul's appeal to the brethren at Corinth to kindle their zeal and stir them to make a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, presenting the example of the churches in Macedonia to inspire benevolent action. In that appeal Christ's grace is set forth as the mighty argument for liberality, not as a command but as proof of the sincerity of love, calling for imparting spiritual grace and temporal relief through self-denial and self-sacrifice. It calls those who abound in faith and utterance and knowledge and diligence and love to abound also in this grace of liberal giving, with readiness of will to be followed by actual performance out of what they have. His willing self-giving is the model and motive and measure for offerings, so that those who follow Him use entrusted possessions to help others and to supply needs and advance God's cause rather than cling to earthly wealth. First grace is received and then grace is bestowed, and as it is imparted grace is received more abundantly, with blessing redounding to those who manifest such liberality.

The churches of Macedonia illustrate the verse, for in great affliction and deep poverty they abounded unto riches of liberality beyond their power because they first gave themselves to the Lord. They gave willingly, and their spirit of benevolence is held up as the pattern that should mark offerings.

The outline in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 shows how to gain God's blessing, where when God by His Spirit stirs His people to see the necessities of the work they deny self and gifts flow into the treasury for the proclamation of the message for this time. The eighth chapter is to be read in the churches so they will catch the inspiration of liberality and see things in a correct light to meet pressing emergencies in aggressive warfare, and the eighth and ninth chapters are to be studied when tempted to withhold what is needed in foreign fields. They teach that as believers impart they receive, for God gives to them that they may give to others, and they oppose selfish motives that withhold funds when the field is ready for advance moves. The verse means willing, liberal giving for God's work even in deep poverty and hard and trying times, to power, yea, and beyond power, with even the poor not shut out from the privilege of giving liberally out of what they have. It is applied to newly come believers with large families dependent on daily labor giving what they can toward erecting a humble church where they can assemble to worship God, where even one pound given in deep poverty is liberal and blessed by the Lord.

The lessons and examples of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 must be studied, heeded, and kept ever before workers for the Southern Field. The hardness of the field is no excuse for doing scarcely anything in it, and the Lord is not pleased with such treatment of that destitute field. The entire profits of the books appointed to it should have been used in it, and telling the churches the means would better its condition while appropriating it to fields that have had much better advantages in every way is condemned as deception. That neglect will be met in the judgment, and more is required than beginning where work should have begun years ago, even restitution of the means diverted from the field, for God rewards according to the measure of neglect shown for His purposes and His specified methods.

Christ's Heavenly Riches

To be rich means He was rich before the incarnation, high and exalted in heaven with the riches of eternity, in glory, majesty, honor, dominion, splendor, light and eternal riches. He was enthroned in the royal courts, on the throne of heaven, with royal robe, crown, glorious diadem and high command, crowned with glory and honor as the brightness and glory of heaven. He was in the form of God, one with God and equal with God, Maker of the world and possessor of all things, Creator of all worlds. He was Commander of the angel hosts, with power to summon angels and command worlds, Prince of glory, King of glory and King of saints, heralded at creation and seated on His throne in glory. He was honored, worshiped and sung by millions of angels, with angels veiling their faces before Him, casting their crowns at His feet, singing His praise and glad to do His pleasure.

His richness included ownership of the world and all heaven's treasures and authority, as Maker and possessor of all things, eternally rich and rich in heavenly glory. He was attended by angels ready to obey Him, with millions singing His praise and glad to do His pleasure, and with angels who loved Him in His station of high command. He shared glory with the Father before the world was, laying aside heavenly honor and glory that He had with the Father to come for fallen humanity. He dwelt among unfallen worlds, in the royal courts with riches, splendor, honor and high command over worlds, having left heaven, its riches, its glory, its splendor and its throne to become poor.

Becoming Poor in Incarnation

For our sakes he became poor by a voluntary choice made in the councils of heaven, laying aside visible glory and majesty and divine form with royal robe and crown and dominion and high command. He veiled his divinity and clothed divinity with humanity, taking human nature without sin in the form of a servant in the likeness of sinful flesh, coming as a babe to stand at the head of fallen humanity. The humiliation was greater than finite minds can comprehend, yet without loss of an atom of dignity or glory. His humble birth and life of manual labor belonged to the plan of redemption itself, to endure human temptation in order to defend and deliver the fallen race.

He left heaven's royal glory and courts and home and throne and high place, stepping down from infinite height to assume humanity. He left bliss where he was loved and honored for a cursed world seared and marred by Adam's transgression, coming to a fallen world where he should have been honored but found no rest or safety. He was attended and preserved by angels until his mission was accomplished.

He left riches and splendor and high position and high command to enter human poverty and shame, taking human woes and griefs and poverty and suffering into his own experience. He shared human frailty and infirmities and sorrows and temptation after four thousand years of sin had weakened the race, yet lived a sinless exemplary life. He did this to meet people where they were and encircle humanity with sympathy, uniting divinity with humanity so that humanity might touch humanity while divinity grasped the throne of the Infinite, bridging the gulf made by sin and connecting earth with heaven. Knowing the height from which he stooped and the depth to which he descended has subduing, constraining power as the actuating motive for earnest self-denying labor for others.

His becoming poor was as substitute and surety, covenanted before sin entered and before man was created to take the penalty of transgression upon his own divine soul. He appropriated all his glory and all he was to redemption, bearing the penalty of the unjust and paying the debt of sin for the whole world, old and young. He purchased salvation by death and reconciles by death and saves by life, raised for justification and ever living to intercede, with atonement carried forward by the Holy Spirit upon every heart. He left heaven to give moral power from above, to set a meek and lowly example, and to exalt humanity in moral value by restoring it to God's likeness.

Life of Poverty and Suffering

His poverty was literal and earthly from beginning to end, for though He was the Majesty of heaven and King of glory He took humanity, was born in a manger in Bethlehem to humble poor parents, and was brought up in obscurity at Nazareth in Galilee. He chose the lowest walk of poverty and toil though He could have chosen any condition or any home, living as one of the poorest with no home of His own and nowhere to lay His head, relying on the generosity of friends and followers for shelter. He worked with His hands at the carpenter's trade to support His family, taking His part with humble workers rather than living without care or labor, with no trace of luxury, ease, selfish gratification, outward show, riches, grandeur or display. He shared real human need and frailty, often hungry, thirsty and weary, as at Jacob's well where He had no rope or bucket to draw water and chose not to use miracle to escape ordinary limitation, sleeping on the earth under the cold night, passing by wealthy homes, royal courts and seats of learning.

His poverty descended step by step to deepest humiliation from manger to Calvary, for He entered the path of self-denial and turned not aside until He gave His life, with no rest between throne and cross, welcoming every indignity and suffering every abuse. As a man of sorrows acquainted with grief He endured poverty, insult, mockery, scorn, contempt, hatred, abuse, rejection, betrayal, privation and suffering, having no home and yet keeping dignity and glory in abasement. He was tried by wicked men as a criminal, pronounced guilty, crowned with thorns, scourged and numbered with transgressors, suffering torturing agony of soul in Gethsemane with the world's sins laid on Him and on the way to Calvary, until He gave His life in shameful, painful, ignominious death on the cross to save the guilty when He could have refused death. He suffered more than any human will be called to suffer, above all bearing the weight and curse of the sins of the world as substitute and dying in their stead.

Though Commander in the heavenly courts, rich with heavenly riches, honor and glory, He did not come to live in palaces of kings but was of poor parentage and learned the trade of His earthly parent as carpenter and builder with humble workers, and the world never saw its Lord wealthy. His contentment in lowly circumstances and serenity under trial came from His self-giving mission, which His brothers did not understand. His poverty was not lack of spiritual riches, for He was always abounding in the gifts of the Spirit and rich in power and the Holy Spirit, His glory was in His simplicity, and His poverty was no disgrace.

Riches Given Through Poverty

Through His poverty believers are made rich, not with houses or land or financial wealth, not with worldly property or honor or gold, but with the unsearchable riches of Christ, heaven's imperishable treasure and an eternal weight of glory. That heavenly richness cannot be compared with gold, and it is spiritual richness possessed even by those who remain poor in temporal things. The exchange is that He gave up royal position to become poor for humanity's sake so that people might become rich through Him. Those made rich through His sufferings receive a rich inheritance of glory purchased by what He suffered to gain it.

That enrichment is salvation and redemption bought at infinite cost, bringing forgiveness and cleansing upon confession, acquittal and justification, imputed righteousness and the robe of His righteousness. It is deliverance from Satan's slavery and claim and authority, rescue from death and from eternal death, and eternal life through ceaseless ages, a life measuring with the life of God. Silver and gold could not purchase this redemption; only His self-giving sacrifice and precious blood could redeem from iniquity, and the gift culminates in eternal life. Through faith in Him as Redeemer fallen people receive forgiveness, freedom from sin, and the blessings of salvation with patient endurance and unselfish love revealed in His humiliation and suffering.

Believers thus made rich become sons and daughters of God, members of God's royal family and children of the heavenly King. They become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, exalted to God's right hand to share His riches and throne and kingdom and eternal glory. For pilgrims and strangers seeking a heavenly country a home is provided, with mansions prepared of matchless beauty, citizenship in the better country, an immortal and incorruptible inheritance, and the overcomer's reward. This lifting up comes through His descending into deep humiliation to reach fallen sinners, living as a perfect example and enduring insult and death so that people could be lifted as God's children to share His riches and throne and receive everlasting life.

That enrichment is also elevation and restoration of fallen nature to original purity and God's likeness. Fallen men are redeemed, rescued from death, and lifted from degradation and bondage into which they fell through sin into hope and joy. They receive moral power from above, partake of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, gaining beauty of character, perfection of right habits, noble character, purity, holiness and completeness, with peace and rest and joy and the knowledge of God. This comes through Christ entering human life, bearing griefs and sorrows and becoming a perfect Saviour through whom heaven is opened and God's life is communicated.

Love and Redemption Revealed

The exchange from riches to poverty is infinite sacrifice and amazing, ardent, matchless, unselfish love, with subduing, constraining power that moves to duty and self-denial, a marvel and mystery to angels and the fullest possible expression of divine condescension. It is unmistakable evidence of His love, fidelity, compassion and tender mercy, revealing a worth of the soul beyond computation and the infinite value of salvation, setting eternal treasure above earthly treasure and proving a love greater and more enduring than human kinship. Though He hates sin He loves the sinner, and in pity for fallen people without truth He gave all that He was and had, including His own life and blood, to seek, purchase, defend and secure them. He was eternally rich, clothed with light and glory, high and exalted, crowned and honored as the brightness of heaven by hosts of angels waiting to execute His commands, yet He consented to have glory veiled, to leave throne and royal courts to sojourn among sinful mortals, to be born in a manger, to endure poverty, mockery, insult, abuse and a felon's death in their stead. That self-denying life, entered in love for man with no rest between throne and cross, welcoming every indignity until He gave His life, should enliven, elevate and enrapture souls, call forth gratitude, and be reflected in some degree by followers who do what they can to save others in preparation for joining the redeemed in ascribing blessing and honor and glory and power to Him that sits upon the throne and to the Lamb forever.

The plan of redemption was laid by sacrifice and gift, the unsearchable riches of Christ as a treasure of grace freely offered to fallen humanity. The price was infinite, which silver and gold could not pay, but only His giving of Himself and His precious blood, becoming poor at infinite sacrifice to purchase men that through His poverty they might come into possession of eternal riches and eternal life. He did everything in His power to redeem, paying a debt to divine justice that people could not pay, taking humanity and enduring human temptation in order to defend, deliver, rescue from death and lift the helpless fallen race from degradation and hopeless misery into hope, joy, purity and elevation. In appropriating all His glory and all He was to redemption He provided for every need connected with salvation and brought the infinite gift of enduring riches and eternal weight of glory within reach of all who will accept Him, so that no one should strive against his Maker by refusing Him.

He came in human form to meet people where they are, laying aside the privileges of heaven, clothing divinity with humanity, choosing a lowly home and humble circumstances, and living in perfect obedience to satisfy the demands of justice, bear sin's penalty, honor the claims of God's law and complete the atonement. His condescension and sinless life prepared Him to bear human transgression and offer Himself for sin, demonstrating the law's unchanging character and making it possible for humanity to be spared, uplifted, made rich and receive everlasting life. That perfect obedience and victory conquered Satan, cut off the argument that God requires a self-denial He would not Himself render, gave the world an example of the character all must form who would live in God's presence, demonstrated that man can keep the commandments, and leaves humanity without excuse.

His willing condescension from throne to cross, accepting humiliation, indignity, abuse and death, reveals God as love, mercy, tenderness and compassion, sweeping away the darkness enshrouding God's throne and manifesting the Father as the Light of life. It displays the immeasurable love of Father and Son, measures both God's love and His abhorrence of sin, and shows why union with Christ and the cross are grounds for gratitude, peace and joy rather than regret. His love displayed on the cross draws sinners to repent, believe and adore Him, secures to those who receive Him adoption as sons and daughters of God and heirship as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ to an immortal inheritance, with assurance of faithful care as the supreme Friend, and calls forth unselfish service in return.

Doctrinal Light Confirmed

His becoming poor proves that not one precept of the law could be changed, for otherwise He need not have come. By laying aside royal position and clothing divinity with humanity to enter a world under the curse, and by enduring a test a hundredfold greater than Adam's and dying on this earth's battlefield witnessed by heavenly intelligences, He testified to the law's immutability, answered rebellion, and settled how God could be just and yet justify the sinner without immortalizing sin. Through His merits and perfect Saviourhood, won by suffering human weakness and overcoming sin and Satan, He made another trial possible to regain lost Eden through obedience and to fit people for heaven. His example in lowliness, privation and poverty, laboring as evangelist and medical missionary by sea, mountainside, streets, cities, towns, highways and byways to bring salvation and healing to rich and poor, free and bond, calls followers to deny self, take up the cross, arm themselves with the same suffering mind, walk as He walked, and decide duty by what He would do for souls.

His love, forgiveness and grace in humiliation, meekness and lowly poverty taken for every son and daughter of Adam belong to justification by faith and to the preaching of Jesus every sinner needs. When presented in the Spirit and with power they give life-giving, heaven-sent, awakening power to ministry and missionaries. The riches given are His own righteousness received by individual living faith, so the vilest sinner who repents, confesses and makes restitution has the load taken and is given His righteousness and attributes. Prayers are acceptable only as laid upon His righteousness, and creature merit is utterly worthless, while one so made rich can present the living Saviour to win others, going without the camp bearing reproach and denying self that others may be saved.

As Captain of salvation He took experience in all human woes and temptations, from childhood to manhood without sin, through trials, afflictions, weariness, hunger, poverty and inconvenience, afflicted in all human afflictions, so He knows how to succor the tempted, sympathize, share poverty and grief, and bring moral power and divine grace to help overcome. In all affliction He is afflicted and touched with infirmities, the poor man's Friend, source of goodness and blessing, and reservoir of power for devoted workers, becoming humanity's ransom and representing divinity in humanity. He left the courts, laid aside robes of royalty, crown and high command, and came as a babe in Bethlehem as a poor man's son taking humanity just as it was, to become acquainted with needs, to know how to bring teachings to fathers, mothers and children, to console and strengthen the diseased, suffering and poor, to take people as they are for salvation, to unite divinity with humanity so faith laying hold on divinity becomes sufficient, and to bind Himself to the Father to bring united strength to save from eternal ruin. By remaining faithful to every precept under prosperity or adversity He conquered Satan, demonstrated to the universe at the head of humanity that man can keep the commandments, worked out a perfect example, and left representatives the pattern of drawing near to help form true character rather than harsh criticism.

His redeeming work on earth is continued by His more important work in heaven preparing an abiding place with mansions in the Father's house for all obedient to the divine law, until He comes again to receive His people to Himself where He is. His willing poverty and humiliation stand contrasted with the honor and dominion to which He returned at ascension, enthroned as High Priest and Redeemer for those who call on Him in truth, expressed in His death as Sacrifice and in His resurrection, ascension and intercession for salvation. When He ascended He left His work to be carried forward by followers after His self-sacrificing example, showing by works they prepare for a better heavenly country and care more for souls than cattle, houses, lands and business, while all heaven is intensely active preparing a people to stand in God's great day.

His poverty purchased a time of probation, a time for trial of character in which to work out salvation with fear and trembling while God works in the believer to will and do His pleasure, bought with the precious blood of the only begotten Son as Substitute and Surety so men need not perish. It is received by clinging faith joining human weakness to His strength, ignorance to His wisdom, unworthiness to His merits, frailty to His enduring might, and poverty to His wealth, relying on Christ rather than frail people to carry to heaven. Through obedience to all commandments and conversion by the Holy Spirit sinners show appreciation, lay up treasure in heaven not on earth, and obtain a place with the saints in light with mansions and reward, open to both the loving poor and others. Neglecting, despising and leaving His poor, the suffering widows and fatherless, unaided while embezzling entrusted money for selfish gratification forfeits that riches and reward. Though He bore all believers are called to bear, even amidst deepest poverty He can make them rich, so when trials press and wrongful accusation comes as His daily experience, they are to bear patiently with courage, knowing He sees motives, thoughts, words and deeds, and in the last great day His estimate will surprise ready judges and greatly reward sincere followers of righteous principles. His deep love, greater and more enduring than human kinship, yielded honor, glory, throne, court, riches and His own life through Gethsemane and Calvary to secure and insure eternal salvation, and with outstretched arms He clasps repentant believers with divine tenderness as enduring Friend, holding servants as the apple of the eye in trial, want and distress and never leaving on condition of obedience and faithfulness.

Those who refuse to willingly and gladly sacrifice by receiving and helping His suffering people, for whom He left heaven's glory and majesty, accepted insult and provided an eternal home of matchless beauty that they might become rich and exalted through Him, will face everlasting punishment.

Pattern for Generous Giving

Christ's willing self-giving is the model, motive and measure for Christian liberality and benevolence, the pattern by which givers gain true riches. His infinite sacrifice to purchase fallen humanity, leaving heaven's riches, splendor, glory, honor and high command and giving His life for a ruined world, calls each person to deny self in return, to fill life with good works even when the world gives no appreciation, to remember all belongs to God, to refuse selfish hoarding and to use His bounties for the widow and fatherless and to save others, answering what each will do for Jesus. That self-denying life flowing from infinite love and tender mercy rebukes indolence and inactivity, requires believers to bear His image and do what they can, shows what God gives is to be used for His glory and others' salvation, and shapes givers into His likeness while blessing others, enriching and perfecting the giver, drawing closer to Christ, keeping hearts tender, strengthening generosity and adding to final joy, where what is sown in service is reaped in the life to come and self-denial is outweighed by eternal glory.

That call requires denying self, consecrating self entirely, lifting the cross and faithfully using all entrusted means, talents, time, money, ability, intellect and influence for God's glory to bless the needy, advance the gospel and save souls. God tests every soul's faith in view of His infinite sacrifice, since all ability and intellect are only lent in trust to be used for Him and it is privilege to be partakers with Christ in His sacrifice by self-denying service, asking what has been done and given for Him who gave all, purchased at infinite cost, laid aside glory, took servant form and gave life, and who hungers for fruit. Believers are therefore to give themselves and their means in His service, to give while means are in their hands to lay a good foundation and lay hold on eternal life, asking what they will give for Jesus who gave all for them.

It specially calls even the very poor to deny themselves to help those in greater need, giving up needless costly things to relieve the suffering poor, which grounds practical generosity. Those who should spend less on expensive dress, luxurious food and self-gratifying indulgences are to give more to God's work, to practice simplicity and economy, to dress plainly but neatly and inexpensively, to spend as little as possible on self, to save even pennies, to keep a self-denial box in the home for money saved by little acts of self-denial for missionary work, to teach children to save, to gain daily clearer understanding of the word and impart it without wearying, and to come together in love and unity converted to work as He worked, sacrifice as He sacrificed and love as God's children until reward comes, which draws the giver closer to Christ.

It is reason to give generously during life and dispense entrusted means wisely while alive to sustain truth and support needy workers and families, laying earthly treasure in heaven instead of hiding it, and using means and influence now while angels hold the four winds for most earnest labor. Hoarding property through life and then at death bequeathing only a portion or small legacy does not meet Christ's mind, for He gave up riches and life and became poor to enrich others and deserves whole heart and all possessed; giving nearly all to friends and relatives and leaving Him only a very small pittance by will is robbing Him, continuing after death the robbery practiced during life, a poor dying charity for living benevolence that meets disapproval when stewardship is judged and cannot expect reception into everlasting habitations. In view of God's dear Son as heaven's great gift in mercy and goodness every follower should ask how much is owed and dedicate self and property anew with grateful offerings according to ability, giving genuine freewill offerings with willing mind according to what one has, expecting no earthly return but God's promise, since unwilling gifts are unacceptable; those who cannot give outright may lend without interest, and even those with very little may practice economy for emergencies into the treasury instead of self-gratification, proving God with tithes to receive opened windows.

He who became poor devised systematic giving by reserving a tenth besides gifts and offerings into the storehouse to sustain message-bearers, with harvests, gold, silver, houses, lands, food and clothing richly given to enjoy. Remembering Him who was rich in royal courts as Commander, laid aside honor, clothed divinity with humanity, humbled Himself, suffered more than any human and gave His all and His life to uplift the fallen so through poverty they might be made rich with heaven's richest treasure, pure, upright and free from defilement, cultivates gratitude and liberality, frees from selfishness, worldliness, covetousness and avarice, joins believers as co-laborers, and calls each to answer what has been given in return, to give earthly treasure for heavenly, to turn gifts to Him for salvation, to give whole heart without delay, accept place in His royal family, cooperate in saving souls and use means to spread grace, improving opportunities and laying unfailing treasure in heaven. Faithful giving, even more than a tenth, cutting farms and principal, laying by weekly, keeping a mission box and sustaining workers home and abroad, stands against selfish gain that leads to misery, trusting His blood to cleanse upon confession and His promise to come again and receive His people who come as sinners to call upon Him.

It explains the call to the rich young man to give up earthly wealth and share with the poor to gain heavenly treasure and follow Christ's path of self-sacrificing service in exchange for companionship with Him, asking no greater sacrifice than He made in giving Himself unreservedly. Attachment to riches draws the heart from God, rich and poor answer to the same standard, and those entrusted with wealth must deny selfish aims and use resources for sufferers and God's kingdom rather than honor or self-pleasing. To receive eternal riches of treasure in heaven, peace, citizenship in the better country and a place in prepared mansions, those possessed of worldly treasure must become poor by devoting substance to God's cause and blessing the needy, not to self-indulgence, hoarding, covetousness and idolatry, for property is a lent talent testing whether they accept Christ's character; hoarding leaves children a curse and covetous spending loses eternal riches.

His becoming poor to bring the infinite gift of salvation within reach speaks to keeping Christmas aright, not by wealthy friends exchanging gifts while remaining rich without sacrifice, but by seeking the needy poor, supplying lack and rendering offering so others can go into the vineyard to bring to God those for whom He died. Christmas and New Year gifts should be turned to better account and given to Him for use in salvation rather than bestowed upon friends, venturing name, influence and all for truth, since He gave up riches and became poor for each person and His self-denial makes believers peculiar in laying up heavenly treasure.

Pattern for Self-Denying Service

His self-denial from the manger to the cross is the pattern for willingness to bear shame, reproach and suffering for him, resisting sin, laboring for his cause, bearing trials with patience and joy, and sharing his sufferings in order to partake of his nature now and of eternal reward hereafter. Knowing what he suffered should make believers willing to be baptized into his sufferings, decide duty by what he would do, and count cost cheap for heaven as faithful obedient hope, for sacrifices made for him enrich the giver and hardship endured for him adds to final joy. His poverty was descent into humiliation continuing to the cross as the fullest possible self-denial, communicating God's life to humanity and calling followers to walk the same path in service to others.

His sacrifice leaves a perfect pattern of disinterested benevolence that true Christians and especially ministers must copy according to ability, not living to please self, for his life was characterized by sacrifice, self-denial and seeking the perishing in their necessities to exalt sinners to heaven. That self-denying life rebukes indolence, inactivity, indifference, coldness and love of ease, calling believers to count it joy to suffer, to arouse every faculty, to refuse to do as little as possible, and to carry forward the warfare vigorously because the close of time is near. It exposes ministers who complain about separation or seek an easier lot, since love for souls for whom he died leads to denial of self and willingness to make any sacrifice as co-workers with him, while indifference to such sacrifice causes angels to weep and hide faces in shame.

Following him means taking up work right where one is, doing one's best without display, without following worldly customs, without demanding a stipulated sum or a dignity-preserving position, ever looking to Jesus as author and finisher of faith. His earthly work was like sowing seed which he watered with his own blood, and when the redeemed are gathered he will see the result of his suffering and be satisfied. Servants must not wait to be carried to fields or furnished costly facilities but cheerfully take humble work wherever placed, for only by following in his footsteps of humiliation and suffering do human beings become partakers of the divine nature, gain eternal riches, and do the work of God and magnify truth.

As the greatest evangelist he brought salvation to all, going city to city and town to town preaching the gospel and healing every sickness and disease for all who flocked to him for help. By becoming poor on a level with the poor, taking a position with humanity and partaking of poverty, inconvenience, sufferings and afflictions, his humanity touches theirs to help, teach and sympathize, while to the rich he teaches how to sacrifice earthly possessions to save souls perishing in darkness. His itinerant medical missionary labor by sea, mountainside, streets, highways and byways models distributing truth in print, carrying the gospel beyond and to cities, and using resources for outreach rather than costly local buildings, so that through his lowly life people are made rich with salvation, healing, beauty of character and escape from corruption through lust.

He left bliss for a cursed world not for pleasure but to save souls, leaving mansions of bliss, royal throne, crown and high command to meet people in darkness, vice and corruption in order to reform them, stopping at no sacrifice and hesitating at no self-denial. This requires all claiming to be God's children to walk in his steps by leaving comfortable churches for cities and villages where truth is unintroduced, accepting poorer temporal prospects to move where unproclaimed, doing rough work among the depraved where they are, adapting methods, entering conditions and expecting no better portion than he had. Therefore believers should not have a better and easier time than he who had nowhere to lay his head, but should deny themselves, refuse to use means for own glory or needless things, and use what God gives to his glory, counting all loss to win the unsearchable riches of Christ rather than thrones, lands and bank stocks. His giving up ease, riches and even life is the example for laboring in neglected fields, calling workers to reach people in actual condition and expect no better treatment than Christ received.

His workers and under-shepherds must become poor for his sake as he became poor, accepting insults, mockery, shame, rejection, betrayal and crucifixion rather than serving for highest wages, seeking an easier lot or turning from harvest white already to harvest for pecuniary gain. As Shepherd he came to seek the lost revealing divine tenderness and compassion, and those made rich must behold his suffering with desire to sacrifice, deny self, refrain from needless expensive spending, count it high honor to cooperate as laborers together with God, and become under-shepherds revealing his tenderness. To represent him means acting as stewards by caring for those doing his work, seeing workers are not left destitute of clothing and necessities for respectable appearance, denying indulgence in dress and using money to relieve their needs and make them happy through tender care, since neglecting this misrepresents him and testifies of selfishness, pride and self-exaltation. His self-denial culminating in death on the cross made eternal life possible and sets the pattern for sacrifice required in God's work, requiring followers to wear his yoke, learn meekness and lowliness, and not refuse to become medical missionary workers unless they can follow worldly display.

His self-sacrifice is the keynote of his teachings requiring the same spirit in every believer to suffer with him, put his kingdom before temporal interests, value heavenly above earthly treasure, refuse to invest means in earth like the man with one talent, and fill life with good works even unappreciated. It calls each person to remember all belongs to God, to refuse selfishly hoarding bounties but use them for widow and fatherless, to deny self, walk in truth and righteousness, and be willing to suffer for truth's sake to partake in his glory when he comes. His infinite sacrifice is the foundation of salvation and the pattern for everyone sharing in it, requiring self-denial not self-indulgence, wholehearted devotion, willingness to give up earthly possessions to support God's work and send truth to other nations, with withholding proving earthly treasure valued above heavenly.

His love should awaken and elevate the soul to reflect it, purify in hope, prize him above all, learn humility, deny self to bring good in humble unpraised service recognized in heaven, and prepare to praise with the redeemed. It calls rich and poor together in unity to work as he worked, sacrifice as he sacrificed and love as God's children, including nursing fathers and mothers embracing more than family to bless youth and bring them by disinterested effort to truth. It requires conversion to practice self-denial by dressing plainly but neatly and inexpensively, spending little on self, teaching children to save pennies, keeping a self-denial box for missionary work, gaining clearer understanding of the word and imparting it without weariness until reward comes.

His poverty defines discipleship's cost, offering no promise of earthly honor or riches and ranking the poor and humble beneath his banner, so following without prospect of earthly reward tests faith. Followers share his lowly position, willingly are despised and trodden underfoot here, press toward the prize, endure trials, pray much until exalted to a home in glory and treasure in heaven whose beauty never wears away. Those following only for worldly reward may turn back when faith cannot endure self-denial.

His complete offering so enemies could become friends, his self-emptying love as beauty of character, his pity from the cross with invitations and promises, and his grace enabling service and character development call representatives to represent him by reflecting that character in a pure life of peace and joy. His self-giving moves those filled with his love to treat money, time and influence as gifts for advancing the gospel, to give up worldly interests with generosity, and to labor according to ability warning cities as co-laborers, sowing truth through good works that will reach completion and endure forever where self-denial is outweighed by eternal glory. Yet the selfish carnal heart wanting more license and keeping darling indulgences remains proof against vivid presentation of his love, showing his love does not rule and exercises no constraining power in the life.

Honor for Poor and Lowly

Christ chose poverty though He could have lived among the wealthy, making poverty His lot and consecrating His life to it for humanity's sake. Through Him poverty is freed from shame, scorn and contempt, lifted from stigma and made blessed, sanctified wealth of the highest value. By taking the place of the poor He honored them and made it possible for those who depend on God to inherit eternal riches as heirs of the kingdom. Material wealth does not make a person rich toward God, while poverty itself is no reproach, and abundance that encourages self-indulgence and pride may leave the soul poor toward God so that the selfish covetous rich are found wanting in judgment.

His lack of worldly status and possessions shows human worth is not measured by wealth, rank or appearance. His becoming poor was literal and earthly, born of humble parents in a sin-cursed world, brought up in obscurity at Nazareth in Galilee, beginning His work in poverty and without worldly rank. In this God introduced the gospel altogether differently from what many now deem wise for proclaiming it. His giving up worldly dignity and honor teaches that greatness among followers comes from closely following His life and conduct, not from rank or rule, and that the gospel advances through faith, obedience, meekness and lowliness rather than recognition, wealth or splendor, since God's favor and the power of His Spirit are worth more than gold and silver.

As one who was poor He sympathizes with the poor, the discarded and the oppressed, honoring them by sharing their humble condition. He is the poor man's Friend, and His experience of privation and want gives reason to care for the poor and relieve their needs. What is done to them is treated as done to Him, and kindness shown to them is received as kindness to Him, for His identification with suffering humanity makes Him one with them. Therefore looking down upon the poor, and upon the colored race in particular, is contrary to His teaching, every insult to them being as to Himself, and every church North and South is to be filled with His sympathy, tenderness and love.

His life teaches how to treat the poor, neither neglecting them and leaving them to suffer nor carrying beneficence to extremes by doing too much for them and injuring them, since the needy must be taught to help themselves and do not always exert themselves as they should. Those bound about by poverty need not be discouraged, complain, or feel barred from serving God, but are to keep trusting God in humble poverty while remembering what Christ endured. He endured the stress of poverty, entered humble circumstances, worked as a carpenter to help support His family, and understands the struggles of those who lack advantages. Those free from the temptations of earthly riches have no reason to complain, because the Prince of life shared poverty with the poor, and poverty shared with Christ is sanctified blessed riches of the highest value.

The verse tests professed believers and requires those who have homes to open them widely and without reluctance to the homeless and needy, especially believers deprived of homes by opposition and persecution for truth, and not to refuse strangers entrance. He became poor so they could become rich by providing a home for pilgrims and strangers seeking a better heavenly country, making them subjects of grace and heirs of immortality. Giving generously to the poor shows sincere gratitude for mercy received, since the Son paid the price of redemption for a debt to divine justice they could not pay. Such self-emptying love grounds the call to benevolence, for He placed Himself among the lowly, oppressed and suffering, took human woes, griefs, poverty and suffering into His own experience, identifies with the poor, and accepts kindness to them as to Himself, accumulating true riches while blessing others.

His self-denial in leaving riches to become poor so believers through His poverty might be rich is the example and rule for all who believe. The love of Christ filling the heart produces love toward all for whom He died, so the wealthy believer practices the same self-denial as those with little of this world's goods, acting from unselfish principles and following His life. Following Him does not mean escaping trials or sacrifice, yet those suffering poverty may still call God Father and trust He will not forsake them, trusting God in humble poverty without complaint.

He accepted poverty so He could best reach the poor and oppressed and understand their hardships and sorrows, giving up heaven's joys and earthly comforts from great love for souls. He did not use His refined pure exalted nature to hold Himself aloof from the unfortunate, but humbled Himself to work among the afflicted, poor, distressed, needy, despised and lost rather than among men of high titles and worldly honor, in order to help those most in need and save the lost. His self-humbling enjoins followers as coworkers to help the most helpless and needy even when disagreeable to refined taste, since the servant is not greater than the Lord. Those who have His spirit show like earnestness to save perishing souls, and their actions reveal the measure of His love in them. He walked unrecognized and unhonored among the people, walking and working among the needy and suffering on Galilean hillsides, in thoroughfares, by the seashore and wherever help was needed, healing and pointing to the heavenly Father, sustaining poor tempted opposed humanity by a life of prayer for energy, perseverance and steadfastness, and laying the foundation for a religion with no caste where Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in common brotherhood equal before God.

His self-giving life exemplifies beauty of character, reflected in believers who live with peace, joy, compassion and willingness to help those in need. Through virtue of character He gives example of what men and women should be and may be through faith in Him, enduring humiliation to show what they must do to inherit eternal life, the riches of glory. His self-emptying reveals salvation and makes it possible to receive His righteousness, become God's children and share the divine nature, so His poverty is joined to the healing and salvation secured through His suffering.

Response of Faith and Obedience

The verse holds open the chance to become rich with a heaven to win by giving heart and mind to Jesus instead of insisting on one's own way, forcing a choice of master under either Christ or Satan where reason requires choosing Christ since refusing Him leads to eternal death, and the riches are enduring riches and an eternal weight of glory received by accepting Him as treasure of grace freely offered in uniting humanity with divinity. The same self-giving moves love-filled hearts to treat money, time and influence as gifts for advancing the gospel and helping others hear it, to give up earthly possessions to support God's work, to deny self, walk in truth and righteousness, be willing to suffer for truth to partake in glory at His coming, and to become rich in beauty of character and divine nature through benevolence. Giving to help others follows His example of becoming poor, and through such benevolence people bless the needy, grow in self-denial and generosity, become more like Christ, and gain true riches. His willing self-denial in becoming poor is the pattern for denying self to bring good and happiness to others, and such humble unpraised service reflects union with the King of Glory and is recognized in heaven. His self-sacrifice also expresses love that sets the pattern for workers to save others, moving hearts to self-sacrificing generosity to help save others.

His fathomless boundless grace made people what they are and will make them complete in Him, so rich and poor meet as disciples with distinctions lost as brethren pilgrims seeking a heavenly country and prepared city, calling possessors of goods, honor, influence, ability and talent lent by God to be poor in estimation, humble though elevated and childlike though gifted, recognizing all as the Lord's to dispose wisely at His feet as freewill offering, and because He so valued souls as to leave heaven He gave definite directions to go directly with kind tender interest not as accusers to save from deception, which carried out to the letter would prevent gossip and a flood of evil. When His love takes full possession selfish love of the world dies and believers cheerfully sacrifice money and possessions, give kind disinterested labor to the needy, serve those for whom He died bringing help, hope and comfort valuing souls above heritage, gaining influence by such works. His giving asks each what has been given in return, calling to improve opportunities, lay unfailing treasure in heaven, believe, come as sinners unable to bear own sin, be cleansed from defilement, receive grace, be made like Him pure and upright, be fitted for mansions He prepares, assured He came to call sinners, will hear, will come again and lead to heaven.

Those who have learned His love in lowliness are to speak of it to those they meet, follow denying self and taking cross, sharing humiliation and suffering now to share glory hereafter, for He gives water of life freely and longs to be received by faith as personal Saviour satisfying thirst, and because He gave everything in heavenly gifts believers should trust God with gratitude and depend every moment on the Spirit rather than fashioning own character or turning all to self. His becoming poor also gives human life value by the price paid, enabling inheritance of eternal riches as new creatures through His blood, calling to partake His self-denial and suffering to partake His glory. His sacrifice of majesty brought salvation within reach of every son and daughter, and on ascending He left the work to followers to show by works they prepare for a better country, caring more for souls than cattle, houses, lands and business while heaven prepares a people, which calls to living connection denying self, lifting humbling crosses, uniting as helping hands, sharing sufferings, practiced in building health institutes, schools and publishing houses.

His example grounds practical generosity that gives up needless costly things to relieve the suffering poor, and calls to deny self and use entrusted means to save others showing love and valuing salvation bought. His giving up riches to enrich others requires self-denial in return, specifically dispensing entrusted means wisely while alive to sustain the cause of truth and support needy workers and their families, laying up earthly treasure in heaven instead of hiding it, and using means and influence to take part in advancing the work now while the angels are holding the four winds for most earnest labor. His humility and self-denial are example for parents to teach children and for believers to deny self and give so others receive privileges He died to provide, calling to strict self-denial as evidence of faith letting good works shine, laboring together as consecrated missionaries in unity, since salvation of souls demands beneficence for missionary work rather than mistaken gifts encouraging idleness, lack of economy and self-gratification. His sacrifice is infinite compared with human efforts since He pleased not Himself but spent life in service and gave life, which none can equal because they never occupied His position as commander, yet He turned none away, patience did not fail, rejected mercy returned in stronger love, requiring patient painstaking effort without weariness when work seems lost.

A gift far surpassing return, it leaves uncomputable debt calling for consecration, reviewing service from the first, following His example not worldlings', studying His life and practicing lessons without which none enter blessed courts, putting to shame extravagant show. His poverty in self-denying life rebukes sensitivity to trial and calls believers to willingly partake sufferings to enter joy and share eternal reward and exceeding eternal weight, enduring as Captain who took all human woes to succor the tempted, so they do not shrink at inconvenience, faint under trials, count lot hard, murmur or complain even when suffering justly for wrong course, but gird mind, withstand Satan's darts, look to Him. Fastening attention on His cross ennobles, subdues, lifts mind above time and sense and gives measure for temporal things, letting hearts feel His throb of love and be ravished by His character.

His self-humbling condemns highmindedness, self-trust, self-sufficiency and complacency and requires humility, meekness, having Christ's mind and growing into Him as living Head, becoming heavenly-minded employing energies in service and using every means of grace. His self-denying act did not consult convenience in leaving courts, so followers must not ask whether convenient to obey and keep Sabbath but whether duty and what Scriptures say, maintaining reformatory doctrines, pushing triumphs of cross, building kingdom and waging warfare against sin at whatever sacrifice of ease, reputation, property, labor or life itself. His sacrifice calls for meekness, lowliness, simplicity, teachableness as little children, consenting to lowly condition at Master's will to be great, have peace, hope and heaven.

His condescension is pattern for dealing with sinners not from eminence expecting climb but going low in keen sympathy, abundant love and tender compassion where Sun of Righteousness shines, encircling race with human arm while grasping Infinite with divine to bring cooperating power, associating through common sympathy and adapting to situation for recovery. His meek lowly pure life of good works without display, though He could have come with ten thousand angels, rebukes pride, vanity, self-exaltation, complaint at lowliness, self-pleasing indulgence and extravagant dress, teaching contentment in humble station, holy purpose in humble occupations and fellowship in lowliness, exposing folly of pride since all is lent to impart to need. His holy life of making Himself of no reputation, going hungry and thirsty, growing weary, having nowhere to lay head, sleeping on earth under cold night yet blessing haters, shows followers must cheerfully endure privation without murmuring, drink His cup, be baptized with His baptism as coworkers with the Captain, only then sharing glory, every sacrifice enriching giver and increasing final joy.

Having His Spirit proves fitness in probation to enter blood-bought inheritance, share glory, be welcomed to mansions and family above, while selfish grasping disqualifies for reward and trust above, and His dispensing with pomp, passing wealthy, royal courts and seats of learning, dwelling in despised Nazareth, choosing lowly fishermen unspoiled by praise, regarding rank as nothing, shows dignity as divine Teacher higher than priests and makes poverty sacred, debarring none lowly from His presence. He left home in glory as man to save souls and bless afflicted because only without splendor could He reach sufferers held under Satan, making Him touched with infirmities and bringing test that humanity touched with suffering might learn tenderness, kindness, pity, develop character and be fitted as missionaries everywhere. He clothed divinity with humanity to stand sharing poverty and grief as unwearied servant entering humble homes of want, speaking hope to downcast and peace to distressed, helping all, lifting bowed, comforting sorrowing, carrying blessing wherever He went.

Though rich He denied Himself enduring every sacrifice laying aside riches for our benefit to give eternal life, and that love measures and obligates loving one another, keeping fellowship, overcoming evil thoughts against brethren, putting Satan out so Christ abides within. He knew man could not overcome without help so laid off robes clothing divinity with humanity to sympathize, assist and bring moral power, yet richness leaves each work to do for self, and through merits men can overcome sin and devil. His coming down to meet men where they are because they needed His presence for correct knowledge is example for those entrusted with truth to meet prejudiced men where they are ministering light, comfort and peace. His identification with suffering means kindness to poor is received as done to Him, giving reason to relieve needs and care for poor.

His self-denial revealed heaven's principles to rich and poor alike making Him example of humility, liberality and self-sacrifice, calling to strict self-denial evidencing truth with shining works, and His coming is applied to helping parents overcome wrong passions and gain victories, requiring conversion. He gave Himself to save from destruction becoming poor so we might possess eternal riches, and that love gives church life obligating those blessed with truth not to be narrow but care for outside fold, cut selfishness, seek Lord, reflect light to darkness to His glory. Neglecting poor or oppressed fellow believer misrepresents Him whose heart is touched by suffering, and though ruler and King He humbled to servant clothing divinity with humanity not to please Himself, revealing mystery of godliness in poverty and self-denial.

Though rich as commander with robe and crown He stepped down to stand at humanity's head, with becoming poor meaning self-denial, temptation, vicissitudes, poverty, humiliation, trial, sinless life, wounded for transgressions, bruised, chastised and healed by stripes, so through poverty we are rich with present and future happiness, divine nature, escape from corruption through lust, everlasting life and eternal weight by seeing example, listening, obeying and living for God by heaven's grace. The Son left home and riches becoming poor at incalculable price by which we are bought, made rich with Christlike character welcoming as royal family heirs and joint-heirs, received by beholding pure lovely things until changed. Though rich He clothed divinity with humanity coming to cursed world giving Himself to save even enemies estranged from God, so remaining cold, unthankful, unholy and impenitent is detestable ingratitude sinning against light and losing ground to Satan.

He made everything subordinate to building Father's kingdom withholding nothing putting whole being into entrusted work, which devotion, self-sacrifice and unselfish love must mark disciples. To save, Majesty came becoming poor so fallen might be uplifted living commandments exemplifying character all must form, requiring servants to deny self, mortify self, practice economy, reveal justice, not spend on display or grasp high wages but give in self-denial. Rich in heaven's treasure devoting Himself to salvation He gives eternal riches, treasure in heaven, peace now, citizenship in better country and place in mansions, to receive which those with worldly treasure must become poor devoting substance to cause and needy not to indulgence, hoarding, covetousness or idolatry, for property tests whether they accept Christ's character and true profession follows Him. Hoarding leaves children curse and covetous spenders lose eternal riches and mansions. Rich in glory He laid aside robes giving Himself on Calvary so believers should bring Him into dwelling lifting Man of Calvary, making vexations vanish and stopping complaint, benefits only as laid hold by faith for no righteousness in ourselves.

Jesus laid aside glory becoming poor so fallen could be made rich, and those sharing divine nature cooperate as captain taking part in humiliation showing meekness giving themselves to restore perishing which mere profession cannot do. As Majesty becoming poor meant earnest work and self-denial to save from ruin, requiring dying to self, bearing cross, following as laborers, faithful stewardship, firmness to principle, earnest steadfastness, courage and unity in building kingdom. He became poor so through poverty we might receive salvation bringing infinite gift within reach with offerings helping others hear and come to God. He became poor so humanity might be clothed with divinity receiving Christ grasping divinity to stand as sons through righteousness escaping corruption, which divinity in humanity is to be shown in last mercy message especially as sick in sanitariums see divinity ready to help, each becoming channel.

The Master became poor that believers might become rich not in worldly honor but eternal life, home in glory, enduring substance, heavenly treasure and exceeding eternal weight, so believers willingly are despised here pressing toward prize enduring trials praying much until exalted. He left courts laying aside robes taking humanity to reach fallen at cost of suffering, and followers respond denying self using means to save those without hope. The divine Son left throne taking humanity giving life becoming poor whose love calls to deny self and follow, setting aside glory to share eternal glory. Though Prince He came humbly becoming poor so people might receive eternal riches revealing salvation enabling receiving righteousness becoming children sharing divine nature with poverty joined to healing through suffering.

Rich with robe, crown and high command He laid them off sharing poverty with poor so humans might possess eternal treasures with hindrances removed, giving not only riches but life in self-denial bearing cross tempted in all points to show withstanding Satan, requiring like self-denial enlarging conception of eternal life, with those free from riches' temptations having no reason to complain since Prince shared poverty. The Divine Master became poor giving life for ruined world leaving footstep example so unselfish worker laboring to bless others is made happy brought close to Christ with approval when ledger opens rewarded according to works. The Majesty for sheep made Himself of no reputation becoming poor coming to cursed world toiling day and night to instruct thankless people denying self enduring privation, scorn and death as servant, patterning church's sympathy and compassion for erring, tempted and tried.

Though rich He became poor through humiliation and blood's price so believers might obtain eternal riches and grace, meaning all possessed is loan securing willing service to advance work as laborers and stewards of grace, so smallest talent and humblest service becomes consecrated. Rich in heaven with exalted position, robe and crown He left them clothing divinity with humanity to help needy becoming poor so we might possess eternal riches making every provision to reach ideal, calling to deny self take cross follow and learn of Him rather than pleasing God and gaining world's friendship or seeking worldly wisdom, since in Him we live and go for help. His humiliation reveals provision for every believer teaching humility bringing pride low.

Though rich He left royal throne clothing divinity with humanity to save fallen, and His poverty is God's gift in which all heaven was poured at infinite cost to Father who suffered with Son, because only Christ's death as surety, sacrifice, Saviour and example could bring harmony with unchangeable law. The riches are His own righteousness received by living faith, so vilest repentant confessing restituting sinner has load taken and receives His righteousness, and one so enriched presents living Saviour to win others following pattern going without camp bearing reproach denying self that others may be saved. His self-denial is to be studied as pattern of loving God supremely and neighbor as self, drawing closer, developing character in likeness through gifts and sacrifice, leading to daily conversion, overcoming perverse disposition, reflecting self-sacrificing love in pure life of peace and joy. Having His love enshrined means making sacrifices, weighing words and influence to remove stumbling stones, refusing to snare weak or censure suffering.

Following example means using wealth for cause and needy rather than luxury, pride, extravagance, display, fashion, precious stones, needless ornaments and gifts gratifying fancy, asking before every outlay whether as He would do denying self taking cross, studying His character more than fashions, for worldly glory had no fascination to Him who laid aside command of hosts and worlds to accept poverty and make meekness prominent. Those lacking means for faithful giving cannot rightly spend extravagantly on self, and self-sacrifice is presented as pattern for denying self using possessions for work, renouncing indulgence. His self-giving example calls to self-denial and sacrifice in God's work, His becoming poor meaning enduring shame identifying with necessities for which He was exalted to throne exemplifying what He requires leading way calling believers to follow as willing partakers through toil, danger, persecution even death with heaven as hope making cost cheap.

As King in high command He stepped down living poor so humans might possess riches through ceaseless eternity, exemplifying for young physicians walking humbly uniting with best influences reaching higher standards instead of seeking large-income practice for show, elegance or ease, since God's people have no time or money to waste on show. He left heavenly bliss accepting poverty, sacrifice and self-denial calling workers to reach people in actual condition adapting work and expecting no better treatment than He received. He gave up riches becoming poor for each person bringing infinite gift within reach, and His grace in giving Himself becoming poor was for humanity, speaking to keep Christmas aright not by wealthy exchanging gifts without sacrifice but by seeking needy, supplying lack and rendering offering so others can go into vineyard.

The divine Son's love leaving throne becoming poor giving life claims all power in return requiring less of self more of heaven denying self following not trifling moments seeking honor losing everlasting life. Though rich He became poor presenting depended-upon Saviour and man of sorrows by whose self-giving others receive spiritual riches. He gave up honor, glory and royal place becoming poor giving life so people might receive eternal salvation, with poverty cost securing them revealing love to turn from sin. He gave up royal position clothing divinity with humanity becoming poor so people might inherit heavenly treasure making followers accepted in Beloved.

As King become poor He trod rough narrow cross-bearing way as man of sorrows enduring suffering without complaint purchasing rich inheritance of exceeding eternal weight, so believers meekly follow rejoicing in tribulation desiring perfection through sufferings to partake suffering and glory and see Him who suffered. Though Majesty He laid aside glory sharing afflictions so they might receive overcomer's reward exemplifying unselfish life Christians must live. The Redeemer's becoming poor seen in Calvary and God giving Jesus leaves no room laying earthly treasures but calls laying treasure in heaven's bank giving back gifts with enlarged generosity and whole surrender as purchased possessions appreciating love. His humiliation is to be followed by economy with entrusted capital laying aside vanity in dress and home, refusing trimmings, luxuries and intemperance so means may multiply books in many tongues carrying warning worldwide.

His self-sacrifice is central example all professing meek Jesus must copy practicing self-denial disposing of idols like bicycles refusing to rob treasury forwarding home and foreign work including releasing means bound in Battle Creek to supply missions where stall for lack, with self-indulgent opposers facing serious account. His sacrifice reveals love and compassion calling to sacrificial giving for gospel, expresses love patterning work to save others, is foundation requiring self-denial not self-indulgence, is model for generosity fostering care, is example for giving up selfish interests to serve cause, and though rich gave all and Himself His self-emptying love grounds call to benevolence to poor with whom He identifies among lowly, oppressed and suffering taking woes into experience. His sacrifice reveals heaven's liberality calling to generous practical benevolence.

His sacrifice is pattern for benevolence gaining true riches, for service sharing sacrifice with entrusted ability, for denying self to bring good in humble unpraised service recognized in heaven, for giving to poor and supporting truth, for using talents, for sowing truth enabled by grace where sowing watered with blood results in satisfaction when redeemed gathered and self-denial outweighed by glory, for humility learning, for wholehearted devotion giving possessions, for working to save others and for youth work with disinterested benevolence. His sacrifice is pattern for ministers to imitate according to ability, for rich young man to gain treasure by sharing with poor, for opening homes to homeless especially persecuted believers, for giving during life not legacy, for economy and pennies in unity with self-denial box, for plain dress and imparting word, for taking up work where one is looking to Jesus, for living gospel principles suffering for truth, and for reflecting love purifying in hope.

His sacrifice is pattern for bearing cross with portion of means consecrating self, resisting sin laboring to share glory and partake nature with eternal reward, sowing reaping where self-denial outweighed by glory, choosing Christ over Satan giving heart to Jesus, putting kingdom first asking what was done, dispensing means wisely while alive, trusting in poverty without complaint, understanding struggles through carpenter labor, treating poor as He honored them, showing worth beyond wealth and gospel method different through obscurity. His self-giving claims heart calling to ask what has been done in return. His sacrifice is pattern for choosing lowly accessible condition so truth alone impresses, meeting insult with condescension, evangelism to all classes city to city, sympathizing with poor teaching rich, simplicity with glory having nowhere to lay head, working without display, defending race through temptation, sharing frailty without miracle at well, restoring likeness through union, communicating God's life and gaining character beauty and divine nature escaping corruption.

His poverty was descent to cross as fullest self-denial, poverty not for pleasure but to make spiritually rich, opening heaven entering life bearing griefs, sacrifice bringing moral power, grace enabling service, rejection purchasing salvation lifting toward right hand, descending living as perfect example enduring insult and death, self-giving revealing value of souls calling grace-receivers to help one another, and self-denial exemplified for needy and rich rebuking indifference and coldness. His sacrifice is pattern for gaining imperishable treasure, joint-heirship, home for pilgrims, throne and eternal life as children, exaltation, hope from degradation, purity, power, moral power, perfection through perfect Saviour, salvation through purchased sacrifice, redemption, eternal riches, enduring riches through accepting Him and grace treasure freely offered.

His sacrifice is pattern for gaining heavenly treasure incomparable to gold, heaven to win through giving heart, true riches through benevolence growing in likeness, heavenly riches through infinite price, eternal weight for precious souls, rich inheritance through sufferings, happiness through lowliness, sonship through living among sinners, heirship through human life, eternal life through death, salvation foundation, heavenly treasure through self-denial, eternal glory outweighing sowing, joy through suffering, liberality spirit, love revelation, fidelity revelation, duty movement, mystery marvel, infinite love, tender mercy, fullest condescension, veil consent, throne leaving, manger birth, felon's death, stead death, elevation, rescue, lift and richness through poverty. His great sacrifice in becoming poor brings within reach the eternal weight of glory and life through ceaseless ages for precious souls for whom He died, calling for disgust with limited ideas of the cause, for arousing from lethargy and arousing every God-given faculty to work for souls, and for refusing to plan to do as little as possible, to invest means in the earth like the man with one talent, or to charge God with reaping where He has not sown, since indifference to such sacrifice causes angels to weep and hide their faces in shame and disgust. His life was self-denial flowing from infinite love toward those without truth rebuking indolence requiring bearing image doing what they can, characterized by sacrifice revealing benevolence, setting pattern in humility showing what God gives is to be used for glory fruitfully, calling to respond in faith using talents, wonderful humility example for parents teaching children denying self giving so others receive privileges.

His poverty requires same spirit to possess every believer, therefore calls every Christian to follow in self-denial consecrate self give portion bear cross, sacrifice calling to deny self use means to save others showing love valuing salvation, condescension teaching duty valuing heavenly above earthly investing cheerfully to do good aid cause send truth, self-giving claim calling to put kingdom before temporal interests, self-giving infinite sacrifice, model and pattern for service sharing sacrifice. Though rich in majesty He became poor through incarnation and infinite sacrifice of only begotten Son explaining continued blessings despite perversity, with riches including Holy Spirit guiding into truth, life and immortality brought to light, to be represented in true Christians Christlike bearing image imitating example living law daily. The same God who gives money-getting talents gave Jesus to become poor so talents be used for glory denying self taking cross daily.

He left priceless riches having no place to lay head calling those tempted to withhold to strengthen generosity, calling for genuine freewill offerings according to what one has with willing mind expecting no earthly return but God's promise, unwilling gifts unacceptable, lending without interest alternative, even those with little practicing economy proving God with tithes to receive opened windows. He gave up riches and life calling professed followers to willing giving selling alms forbidding hoarding then leaving bequest opposing spending for indulgence, lust of eye and pride. He sacrificed majesty bringing salvation within reach leaving work to followers calling to show by works they prepare for better country caring more for souls than business while heaven prepares people.

Though rich in power and Spirit He became poor working out salvation and poverty no disgrace, life and death holding world from Satan bringing back into favor, plan laid by sacrifice freely offered, though exalted leaving throne to become poor making rich, eternally rich taking nature among sinful so people may receive salvation becoming children calling to make room reflecting love preparing to join redeemed praise. Though divine Son and Creator He accepted poverty whose contentment came from mission His brothers did not understand, self-sacrifice free of selfishness leaving riches for humble life followers imitate in self-denying lives blessing world so when character revealed many converted.

His earthly life of poverty shows those valuing redemption can joyfully sacrifice with hardships enriching giver increasing joy in heaven, freely surrendering riches for humble life among ordinary people working taking lowest place so people could become rich sharing divine nature, giving all becoming poor calling believers to give means while in hands laying foundation laying hold eternal life asking what will be given for Jesus. His becoming poor was giving life shedding blood to ransom making alive from dead asking what has been done in return, setting aside glory taking nature so people may receive divine nature becoming rich through faith followers practicing self-denial uniting in love representing character sharing suffering to partake nature with sure inheritance sharing glory, calling to practice self-denial working in unity.

His poverty involved suffering measuring with God's life calling for consecration and willing sacrifice, and spiritually impoverished may receive fullness of purity, holiness, peace, joy and share throne's glory His humility elevating them calling to deny self take cross serve Him. As Shepherd He came seeking lost revealing tenderness and those made rich must behold suffering desiring to sacrifice avoiding needless spending counting honor to cooperate advancing mercy becoming under-shepherds seeking lost revealing tenderness. Though possessing infinite riches becoming poor obligates returning entrusted gifts using means for saving souls. He left heaven taking humanity to save by divine power exalting saved to throne coming as infant in sinful flesh likeness meeting insult so God could not trust Son to inhabitants but sent angels preserving until died by men He came to save.

As Prince rich He left riches from interest to live example to rich and poor teaching unity requiring conversion practicing plain dress spending little teaching children saving keeping box daily learning until reward. He left Father's glory taking nature dying for rebels to make escape elevating saved to right hand asking only heart's affections yet many refuse appreciated only by those tasting world to come while He drained bitter cup love not depriving of everything worth having. In humanity He shared infirmities and is poor man's Friend source of blessing reservoir of power for devoted workers, and though Prince He became poor life vindicating Father's word requiring making faith evident by self-denial and good works.

Though equal possessing riches He humbled leaving glory living humbly serving rather than seeking service so fallen could be raised, leaving eternal riches living as poorest in self-sacrifice walking unrecognized healing pointing to Father founding religion with no caste where all equal brethren before God, sustaining tempted humanity living by prayer for energy and steadfastness. Though rich in honor worshiped by angels He came as man not using refined nature to hold aloof but humbled working among afflicted, poor, distressed, needy, despised and lost rather than high titles to help most in need enjoining coworkers to help most helpless even when disagreeable since servant not greater than Lord. Though possessing majesty over worlds becoming poor made spiritual riches possible veiling dignity revealing humility free from pride, and believers giving to help poor and advance truth are shaped into image blessing others accumulating true riches.

He left royal throne becoming poor and sacrifice provides for every need, though possessing glory taking nature descending to cross rescuing fallen enabling sharing heavenly treasure, leaving riches becoming poor even dying exemplifying accepting hardship serving rather than seeking comfort. Sharing glory with Father before world He became poor enduring contempt dying to make escape setting pattern by which followers may share character suffering with Him sharing glory. Rich He chose poverty taking servant exchanging honor for hardship suffering in Gethsemane dying at Calvary self-giving love to remember contemplating calls to reflect mercy putting others before self.

Though equal possessing royal glory He laid aside position coming as human enduring poverty and temptations to redeem for eternal life gift surpassing return, willingly leaving exalted position becoming poor patterning humble compassionate service. He descended to depths so people might become rich not in earthly treasure but things of God turning from pleasures toward heaven's hope, becoming poor so people might become rich in grace self-giving exemplifying beauty reflected in believers living with peace, joy, compassion helping needy. As Majesty laying aside splendor clothing divinity becoming man of sorrow He requires professed believers to put away selfishness giving up needless spending on idols, clothing, houses, eating and do utmost spreading light supplying destitute fields, never making parade leaving no example justifying showy means so display has no place through which poverty people receive immortal inheritance.

The verse means though rich in heaven He for sake became poor leaving heaven taking humanity so through poverty people might be made rich with eternal riches, being rich meaning Majesty equal with Father Creator Commander Prince sharing glory before world with courts, robes, crown, splendor, dominion, honor and high command, becoming poor meaning laying aside robes, crown, glory clothing divinity taking sinless nature standing at head so humanity might touch humanity while divinity grasped Infinite, becoming poor meaning life of humiliation, privation, toil from manger to Calvary born to humble parents obscurity working as carpenter having no riches or rank. His self-denying act without consulting convenience, refusing self-gratifying display, means means now wasted should carry work, lift standard where unheard and convert souls who convert others.

His becoming poor gives human life value because of great price showing infinite value of soul so gold and temporal interests sink beside it calling for unselfish labor above wages, His voluntary poverty revealing love giving opportunity to return so choices honor or insult Him requiring humbling, repenting, cutting wrong habits, laying hold by humanity upon divinity and standing ready with missionary self-denial, demanding obedience, loyalty and walking in light to be called sons brought to Eden home. Seeing lost world He left glorious home for cursed world carrying missionary work in simplicity and strictest economy with no investment for display leaving perfect example and correct methods requiring same self-denial not straining after customs to win souls.

His life and death held world and brought back into favor, His sacrifice brought moral power communicating God's life, His grace and strength enable serving developing character sowing truth where sowing watered with blood results in satisfaction, His self-giving sets pattern for unselfishness enriching giver, expresses love setting pattern for workers, pitied weakness working out perfect character, descended as far as cross, left heaven at infinite price revealing solemnity of times, value of eternal riches and duty to value heavenly above earthly. He left height descending to depth entering path turning not aside until gave life to lift fallen from degradation to hope, joy and heaven, left riches entering poverty taking woes into experience, took humanity to reach humanity, loved despite ingratitude sharing frailty descending into suffering to uplift, left courts becoming poor through sacrifice so people might receive salvation, left glory becoming poor to save accepting insult providing eternal home, laid aside glory seeking perishing humbling to necessities exalting sinners, gave up riches becoming poor providing redemption, gave up high command coming in humiliation so humans might partake divine nature gaining eternal riches.

He though rich gave all and Himself so humanity might be saved, though rich became poor suffering cruel death giving true conception of love, though rich consented to become poor suffering want living as man of sorrows in ignominy and Gethsemane bearing sins, though rich became poor enduring hardship, though exalted laid aside privileges clothing divinity with humanity working perfect character, though rich became poor so people might be made rich, choosing lowly Nazareth, poor parents and carpenter toil understanding struggles so poverty is no barrier. He left majesty and riches taking nature to save fallen, left riches to help fallen, left glory humbling to human life ultimately dying to redeem, left riches for sake, left glory becoming poor calling for wholehearted devotion giving possessions, left courts becoming poor purchasing salvation, left glory becoming poor so people might become rich receiving purchased salvation, left riches becoming poor so people might become rich as foundation requiring self-denial not indulgence.

He left riches and glory becoming poor revealing love and faithfulness, left glory taking nature living as homeless wanderer, left riches becoming poor so people might become rich, gave life becoming poor therefore best friend deserving whole heart and all possessed, gave up glory becoming poor example for giving up selfish interests serving cause, laid aside glory humbling to meet needs, willingly became poor as model keeping hearts tender fostering care, humbled laying aside position living as man so humans might become rich as heirs to eternal glory explaining rich young man's call to share with poor since attachment draws heart away. He became poor to make believers rich, to give eternal riches revealing compassion calling to sacrificial giving bringing salvation, to share eternal life with self-sacrifice even to death patterning spending means, grounding generosity toward suffering poor by giving needless things, suffering becoming poor so through poverty people might become rich with inheritance of glory calling to bear trials patiently.

His self-emptying grace is pattern for benevolence by which givers gain true riches shaping into image blessing others, His self-emptying love calls for giving up possessions supporting work, His self-denial from manger to cross pattern for bearing shame, reproach and suffering, His self-denial pattern for servants giving up ease or small loss doing will laying treasure in heaven. His sacrifice reveals compassion calling parents teaching humility and followers denying self giving so others receive privileges, calling filling life with good works even when world gives no credit remembering all belongs to God refusing hoarding using for widow and fatherless asking what each will do for Jesus. The Christian religion never makes man self-centered but teaches through His standing at head suffering afflictions understanding inconveniences how to live unselfish life to possess overcomer's reward.

Through His poverty He invites becoming partakers of divine life overcoming Satan therefore they should not reject but take up self-denial for His sake as co-laborers warning cities. He laid aside dominion seeking fallen to save from misery making like Himself humbling taking nature so men could learn, and benevolent life is pattern Christians must imitate step by step according to ability though unable to equal ready even to give treasures to lead one soul. His richness was heavenly glory, majesty, honor, royal position, throne, crown, robe, high command over angels and ownership attended by angels, becoming poor was laying aside clothing divinity taking servant form, poverty real earthly lowliness born of poor parentage choosing lowest walk living as poorest with no home relying on friends working at trade with no luxury, poverty life of humiliation sorrow temptation self-denial enduring insult betrayal condemnation shameful death bearing guilt and curse as substitute descending as far as condescension could go.

The riches given are not earthly treasure but spiritual eternal: salvation, eternal life measuring with God's life, immortal inheritance, righteousness and robe, grace, character growth, knowledge of God, partaking divine nature escaping corruption, adoption and joint heirship exaltation to right hand. He became poor to reach where they were encircling with sympathy understanding tempted giving overcoming power through divinity united lifting fallen ransoming from Satan giving another trial regaining Eden making truth accessible especially to poor, self-giving pattern obligating unselfish benevolence laboring giving means time influence practicing economy holding possessions loosely finding true riches and fellowship. His example requires meekness simplicity teachableness going low in sympathy rather than expecting climb refusing pride content in humble station.

By sharing humble condition He honored poor sanctifying poverty shared with Him as highest value teaching how to treat poor neither neglecting nor injuring by doing too much but teaching self-help since needy must exert themselves. Only God and Christ know what souls cost, and Son gave up riches becoming poor so people might be made rich with eternal riches love without parallel buying grace offering richest gifts calling for breaking every yoke rising higher in sanitarium and school work looking to Jesus praying for large Spirit measure. He gave up ease riches life to seek souls work believers continue going to long-neglected Southern field teaching colored people practical and spiritual just where they are saving otherwise lost, though He might have come with angels He came as babe living in simplicity therefore followers must wear yoke learn meekness deny self refuse stipulated sum display willingly doing medical missionary work restraining extravagance.

His poverty means untiring labor for bodies and souls knowing how to influence every mind therefore followers must not live selfishly restrain extravagance refuse spending needlessly while cause suffers not become narrow but arouse give freely to nigh and foreign fields cut selfishness deny self sharing gospel with tenderness that He may pour Spirit, obligating churches blessed with truth to vast obligations.