For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

The Apostle Paul says here Jesus was “Rich” and then made “Poor” so we can become “Rich”, what is Paul talking about here? This scripture sounds like ever prosperity gospel preachers dream, however lets examine this scripture in true context

If you read the complete chapter you see Paul was commending the Church of Corinth for being generous and taking care of each others needs, Paul uses this moment to try and describe what Jesus did for us

I believe this teach best parallels his teaching in Philippians 2

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, Philippians 2:6

Although Jesus is God (Rich)

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7

Jesus made himself a bond servant (Poor) to be the atonement for our sins

Through Jesus sacrifice on the cross (Poverty) we are made (Rich) eternal life

Paul is almost using a parable here , where he’s showing our inheritance into the Kingdom of God through the sacrifice of Christ being like gaining great wealth while being poor

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

As Jesus taught, Earthly wealth is pointless. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can save your soul. Everything on the Earth will eventually fade away but the inheritance through the grace of God by our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal Amen!

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

What is wrong with the “Church” these days? Everyday you read another headline of another denomination fallen to sin. What is missing from the modern day Church? How about the Fear of God? We live in a generation where all the churches want to preach about is grace and love. And these are qualities of God, but tell me something “Do you really love God if you don’t keep his commandments?”

Think about a Parent/Child relationship, if the child disobeys the parent continually and doesn’t have fear or respect for them, do they really love that parent? God demonstrated his love for us when we didn’t deserve it, why don’t we show God love by honoring him?

The original Greek word for Fear is “Phobo” which also means respect.

And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7

When an Angel came to preach the “eternal gospel” his message was “Fear God”!

The original Greek word is from the same root Phobos (Phobethete) which means have reverence, respect, to be in awe of God

In the modern day Church we don’t want to preach “Fear God”, we want to water down the gospel and preach candy to babies and send them on the broadway to Hell

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

The Hebrew form of Fear is “Yirat” which means the same as the Greek , reverence, respect, and awe

How much wisdom and knowledge could we obtain if we actually Feared God and listened to him? If we truly love God, why don’t listen and obey him?

Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 2 Corinthians 6:16

As a Born Again believer your body is now the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16) because the Holy Spirit now lives inside of you. Therefor since you are a Temple of God why are you obsessed with idols? Now some would say, Paul was talking about pagan idols, which he probably was. However even today we have many idols that we worship and put first before God

Think about our obsessions with professional sports, musicians, movie actors, all these people we raise high on a pedestal. We seek after their autographs and follow their every move on social media. This is idolatry

The original Greek word for Idol in this scripture is “eidolon” which means false god, but the worship of such

When we focus all our time on following “celebrities” we are worshipping them. Do we put God first or is this celebrity or object always more important?

“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 2 Corinthians 6:17

Jesus says “Come Out Of Them” (Revelation 18:4) meaning separate yourself from the wickedness and idolatry of this world. As the Temple of God, don’t allow yourself to become corrupted. The word Holy in the Bible means “Set Apart” separate yourself from the uncleanliness of this world

Who are you putting first? God or your idols? What do you spend most of your time doing? Does your activities glorify God?