Rich In Christ

"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." (I Cor. 8:9 KJV)

Those who are saved from sin are rich people. They are now royally titled and designated inheritors of the very riches of God. Believers in Jesus are destined for greatness, for wealth untold. The story of sin is a story of a man going from riches to rags, but the story of redemption is a story of a man going from rags to riches.

Christ was "rich" before he came into the world, being the eternal Son of God, and by whom all things were created. But, he "became poor," that is, he became a man, which was a humbling of him. Lord God did not become man, strictly speaking, for God cannot become non-God, or essentially change, being immutable. But, God, while remaining God, also became a man.

Paul referred to this "becoming poor" elsewhere in these words:

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 5-11 NIV)

Both the "riches" of Christ and the "poverty" of Christ are subjects of the highest contemplation. Christ is no longer in "poverty." Nor, is he any longer merely a man, or human, for he is now glorified and perfected, his glorified humanity forever united to his divine eternal nature. He is now rich in his humanity as he was always rich in his divinity.

It is owing to Christ going from riches to rags that sinners now go from rags to riches. The poverty of Christ is the enriching of sinners, sinners who trust in Christ.

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Proverbs 13: 7 KJV)

Two different characters are here described. First, the lost sinner, the one who's sole purpose in life is to "make himself rich" in this world and to serve the sinful flesh. This person, in the end, will "have nothing"; nothing when he dies, and nothing of good in the afterlife. There are also those who go up the socio-economic ladder, or from rags to riches, but who, for one reason or another, lose those riches, and return to rags again, thus "having nothing."

Second, there is that character described as "making himself poor," as did Christ, and who yet "has great riches."

This "making himself poor" is chiefly to be understood in a spiritual sense, and as referring to that contrition and poverty of spirit that is part and parcel of the converted heart. The "great riches" would be all the spiritual blessings enjoyed in life, death, and the afterlife, by the believer in Jesus.

"And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (Luke 18: 29, 30 KJV)

"For bodily exercise profiteth little (or for a little time): but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4: 8 KJV)

Thus, the believer in Jesus receives a good supply of these "riches" in this life, although the greater is yet to be realized.

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh...behold, your reward is great in heaven. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. " (Luke 6: 20, 21, 23-25 KJV)

Oh the rich destiny of the poor of this world! Of the poor in spirit! Notice that the wealth of the righteous includes great "rewards" and "fullness" and "satisfaction" (Psalm 17: 15) of every need, and of "unspeakable joy." (I Peter 1: 8 KJV)

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" (James 2:5)

Notice how James follows the teaching of Jesus about the future wealth of the saints. In sum, they are "heirs of the kingdom" and all that it brings. Notice also how the gift of faith is viewed as part of the riches of Christ that are now received and enjoyed by the believer in Jesus.

Oh the rich destiny of the elect! Poor, downtrodden, afflicted, in this life, they are to be the kings, lords, governors, and rich men of the "world to come."

Those who come to Christ and are saved do get a sample or "foretaste" of what is coming. It is called the "earnest (down payment or pledge penny) of our inheritance." (Eph. 1:14)

Christians have "tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come..." (Hebrews 6:5)

"And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

God has "prepared things," said Paul, "for those who love him." (I Cor. 2:9)

As saved people, we are "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:17) We have been newly and spiritually born of God "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (I Peter 1:4)

We, as God's elect, believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, his followers, are destined to obtain inumerable pleasures and rewards, in soul, body, and spirit, as immortal sons and daughters of the Almighty.

What a glorious time when all present sighs and tears will be but a distant memory and we each dwell in the "new heavens and the new earth," and in the glorious holy city, the New Jerusalem, the eternal capital of this promised and soon coming utopian world.

Everyone then, according to the ancient prophecies, will "sit under his own vine and fig tree," wherein "none shall make them afraid." (See Micah 4:4 & Zech. 3:10)

"The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all." (Proverbs 22: 2 KJV)

"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (I Corinthians 3: 21-23 KJV)

Friend, do you belong to Christ?