Riches - 2 Corinthians 8:9

8:9 - To further illustrate the connection between spirituality and physical possessions, Paul notes that “our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Now what exactly is Paul talking about here? Jesus was not rich, he lived a very modest life doing physically demanding, manual labor for his support. The article on this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com says, “In terms of riches, the Great Jehovah, the Creator of innumerable worlds, the law Giver, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had all that the Father had. Prior to his mortal advent, he was richer than any mortal. As Craig J. Ostler noted, ‘If the glory of the premortal Messiah is likened unto riches, then he was truly the richest of all.’”

 

To understand what Paul is talking about here, we have to remember that Jesus is God of the universe, and that his actions and being predates his birth and continues after his death through the resurrection. It’s an interesting concept to think about, Jesus being the richest man ever. I look at the lifestyles of the people who are considered “rich” in our world and I wonder, if Jesus lived on the earth now with all his power and glory, how would he live? Would he have a huge mansion and super-fast cars? Would he throw raging parties with alcohol and loud music? Would he use his wealth to attract multitudes of women to him that he could use and then kick out of his house? Even writing that about Jesus makes me feel sick. Would he have a security detail? Would he have a private jet that he would use to travel the world and party? What would he do with all his money? What should we do with ours?

 

Another aspect of this that is interesting to think about is that his access to riches didn’t disappear when he was born. He easily could have conjured up extra food for his family after Joseph died, but I don’t think that he did. He probably worked extra hard so that he could feed his mother and siblings first, then he would take what was left over, if any. When he was with the disciples in the stormy sea, he probably got wet from the rain and he could have demanded better weather, which of course he eventually did, but he could have just not had to deal with any difficulties at all, but he didn’t. He could have conjured up tents to sleep in and food to eat, but I think he just lived like everyone else, sleeping outside while traveling, walking everywhere, eating whatever was available. He could have wielded ultimate power over every person and every circumstance, but he didn’t.

 

So if Jesus was the richest of all in the premortal world and through his own divine powers, how did he become poor? The article says, “from this exalted station, he descended to be born in a lowly manger, to be raised in humble circumstances, and to come forth from the despised town of Nazareth.” I think we’ve talked about how leaving the premortal spirit world to come live on earth was definitely a downgrade for all of us, it must have been especially so for the Savior. Why would he do this? Why would he give up all that he had to come here and live a modest life and die a horrific death? The article quotes Elder Charles A. Callis as saying, “What have we gained by reason of the earthly poverty and sufferings endured by the Lord Jesus Christ? We have gained eternal life, or the means of obtaining eternal life, and God has said: ‘Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.”