The Way to Wealth (Part 1) (2 Corinthians 8:9; Mark 7:13)

There is the common maxim that "people are down, on what they're not up on", which seems to reflect the reality that people having limited knowledge, or no knowledge, of a subject, still make a judgment concerning it, based on a total absence of the facts. This seems nonsensical, but everyone has biases, whether they admit to them or not. Based on their environment in which they have lived, and are living, their family history, how they have been educated up to that point, and what their interactions and cumulative experiences have been; people have biases. This is not a logical means of assessment; to be void of actual information, and yet determine whether something is beneficial or a detraction. 

When it comes to a biblical perspective on money, wealth, riches; their accumulation, use, and purpose, there is a broad range of emotional responses engendered, from seemingly disgust; heightened curiosity; inquisitive desire for more information; a genuine thirst to experience financial prosperity; or even shame or guilt, from not enjoying the benefits of wealth.

RICH from POVERTY

First, there needs to be an awareness that financial prosperity is even a proclamation of scripture to be participated in; not to be avoided. There must be an openness to the fact that the provision of wealth, through the Lord Jesus Christ, is even a possibility, and not a distortion of scripture.

In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, Paul, by the Spirit of God, is raising an offering for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Exhorting the rich Corinthians to give to the just cause, the argument for their participation is that, "...you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9) [KJV, Lamsa,.Douay Rheims, Wms].

"...He impoverished Himself for your sake, when He was so rich, so that you might become rich through His poverty.." (Knox).

"...He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might become rich" (Weymouth).

"Do you remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all? He was rich beyond our telling, yet He became poor for your sakes so that His poverty might make you rich" (Phillips).

"...He being wealthy, for your sakes became poor, in order that, as for you, by means of His poverty you might be made wealthy" (Wuest).

"...rich though He was, He became poor for the sake of you, that by His poverty you might be rich" (Moffatt).

"...He  was rich, but became poor for you to make you rich by His poverty" (Beck).

"...because of you He became poor --- being rich, that you by that poverty may become rich" (Young).

SPIRITUAL RICHES

One of the most common defenses, or excuses, for rendering this scripture of little consequence or impact in the church, [despite the obvious context of referring to an actual collecting of money to help those in need], is to erroneously claim that the import of this text refers to "spiritual riches", and not actual material or tangible wealth. This dastardly manipulation is the equivalent of "...making the word of God of none effect through your tradition..." (Mk.7:13) [see Matt.15:6]. In other words, rather than embracing the reality of the scriptures, people disingenuously explain away the truth of the Word of God, because they are not experiencing the results of the Word of God, in their lives. This fallacy, which is all too prevalent with many foundational truths, essentially robs Believers of the full benefits of what God the Father fully intends for all His children to enjoy, directly, or indirectly. 

GREEK MEANING

The word "rich" (plousios),4145, and "made rich" (plouteo), 4147, are from the word group that literally means, 'abundance of earthly possessions of every kind',  'material wealth', especially money. The word group comes from the root (pel), "to flow", seeming to refer to water, until it "fills" to the "full", so that all the words in the group go back to the common root meaning "to fill" or "to be filled", where "the content of the root narrows down to the basic sense of 'fullness of goods' " (TDNT, Vol. 6, pp.318-332).

The words "became poor" (ptocheuo), 4433, [only in 2 Cor. 8:9],  and "poverty" (ptocheia), 4432, [only 2 Cor. 8:2, 9; Rev.2:9], are the total opposite of financial wealth or possessions and refer to total helplessness and destitution of the necessities of life, so that begging is the only means of survival. It is not simply being "poor", but the condition or state of deep, extreme poverty. It comes from the word (ptosso), meaning to cower down, to hide oneself in fear, to be thoroughly frightened; one who slinks, shrinks, and crouches, to bow down timidly, totally dependent on others, and therefore a beggar.

The Lord Jesus Christ became "poverty" so that we might become rich.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours