He Gave Up Riches For A Reason
We recognize the fact that Jesus Christ didn't come into existence when He was born in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago. He, like the Father and the Spirit, is an eternal being that, even though He spent over three decades on earth as a human, has always been and will always be God. Acknowledging these facts makes Jesus' decision to live a human life all the more impressive as it reminds us what He gave up in order to be our Redeemer.
Paul writes, "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (II Corinthians 8:9). Let's face it -- Jesus was and is rich. We are taught that all things were created "by Him" and "through Him" and that, "He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). He is the One with all the power and authority which was given to Him freely (Matthew 28:18). He is the One, single man who after His years on the earth ascended back to heaven to be with His father whose business He'd been doing for those 33 years (Acts 1:9).
With the loss of this "wealth" at stake, it's important for us to note why He gave them up. The reason is you and me! The inspired apostle wants us to know that we're important to God! We are the truly impoverished ones who, without Christ, would have no hope.
The Savior, "through His poverty," enables us to be a child of God, experience a relationship with Him on earth, and then look forward to the time when we'll be with Him for eternity.
Putting ourselves in the position of Jesus forces us to consider what we do in a similar situation. With so much power and so much wealth, would we give up something so great so that undeserving men and women could benefit? And, keep in mind that those same men and women would hate us and not only want to kill us, but would succeed in doing so! Jesus Christ wasn't forced to give up His riches; His sacrifice would no longer be a sacrifice and His death would lose its significance. Instead, Jesus wanted to do the will of His Father who had a plan from the beginning to redeem all humanity from its sinful state of despair. Thanks be to God that Jesus gave up His riches for a reason. We're thankful because that reason is us!