Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
The grace mentioned in this verse is in relation to giving. This is the context of the passage up until this point. Jesus Christ gave that we might receive. Jesus Christ gave up something in order for sinners to be brought into a relationship with God. The riches of Jesus refer to the splendor of Heaven. Psalm 45:8, "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." This statement of riches also reminds us of His deity. He did not begin His existence in the stable in Bethlehem. John 1:1, 2, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God."
As we take all of this and much more into consideration, it is becoming of us to live for Him. We have a duty to honour His name and Word. This duty should lead to a delight. What a privilege to be called a child of the King! What a privilege to be living in freedom. All of this was made possible when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary in the manger in Bethlehem. He became poor so we might be rich. Let us thank Him not only in word, but in deed.