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A PRIOR SACRIFICE

You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)

            Christ's crucifixion was not the first time He sacrificed on behalf of humankind. His first gift of Himself came when Jesus left the glory of heaven to enter into this world in which we live. The vast treasure of His pre-incarnate experience was cast aside for the benefit of our soul poverty. Through Jesus' appearance on the human scene, we are offered the gift of spiritual riches beyond our finite imaginations.

            Paul pens this verse right in the middle of his appeal to the Corinthian church for funds to assist their poor friends in Jerusalem . With the example of Christ's great sacrifice laid out on the table before them, how could they refuse to give in a like manner to those who were in such great need?

            We need to ask the same question of ourselves. In what way can our sacrifice bring riches to others? What is God calling us to give on behalf of His cause and His kingdom? Money, time, wisdom, sweat – all are examples of gifts we have been blessed with to bless those around us.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, show me what I can give and who to give it to. Make me a source of riches for those around me.