Question:
Hello Shaliach, someone told me that Jesus became poor so that we can become financially rich. They quoted 2 Corinthians 8:9. Is that what the verse really means?
— Ashwin S, Hyderabad
Answer:
Hi Ashwin, thanks for your thoughtful question. This verse is often quoted out of context, so let’s look at it carefully.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (AMP) says:
“For you are recognising [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favour—that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich [abundantly blessed].”
Now, in this passage, Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to give generously. The context is not about financial prosperity but about Christ’s self-giving example.
The Greek word used for rich is plousios (πλούσιος), which means having abundance. But it is not restricted to money. Christ was rich in glory (John 17:5), yet He emptied Himself (kenoō, κενόω — Philippians 2:7) by becoming human, humble, and obedient unto death.
This “richness” is not financial. Paul is speaking in the context of giving to the needs of others (chapters 8–9). Jesus gave up His heavenly glory (Greek: πλούσιος – plousios meaning abounding, fully resourced) to take on our humanity, so we might become spiritually enriched in salvation, not financially loaded.
The Hebrew idea of “blessing” (barak) often included wellbeing and divine favour, but in Christ, this favour is primarily spiritual — forgiveness, righteousness, sonship, and eternal inheritance.
His “poverty” refers to the incarnation and suffering, not material poverty in the way we think of it. The “riches” we receive are spiritual blessings — righteousness, grace, eternal life — not necessarily money.
Ephesians 1:3 (AMP) confirms this:
“Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.”
So, no — this verse isn’t a blank cheque for financial wealth. It’s a call to generosity, rooted in Christ’s sacrificial love.
Hope this clears it up.
In Christ,
Shaliach
