He Made Us Rich

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

Every year, more than 40,000 poor people in Singapore receive rice, biscuits, and cooking oil through the Share-A-Gift programme organised by The Boys’ Brigade during the Christmas season. The Christian organisation delivers food hampers after collecting gifts and donations from the public, who are encouraged to help the needy during this season of giving. 

The Bible encourages this spirit of giving to the poor in verses like Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD.” Generous giving reflects the character of our God, who cares for the materially poor. God also cares about the spiritually poor—and that’s all of us who have sinned. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says that “though [Jesus] was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich”. Jesus stepped into our spiritually impoverished world, died on the cross for us, and made us rich by giving us an eternal, loving relationship with God. 

As undeserving recipients of Jesus’ gift of love, let us reflect on how we can be generous towards those in need. Be it materially or spiritually, let us seek to meet the needs of those around us, not just because it’s charitable to give, but more importantly, also because Jesus loved us and gave to us first.