Giving Help to Others

KEY VERSE: “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he teas rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” —II Corinthians 8:9

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: II Corinthians 8:1-15

OUR Lord, IN his pre-human existence, is referred to as “the Word.” (John 1:1, KJV) In the Greek text we find the word “Logos,” which means ‘a word spoken, speech, spokesman, mouthpiece’.

The greatness and position of this Logos is featured in Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”—Col. 1:15-17

Proverbs 8:22-30 represented God’s direct creation, the Logos, under the name of Wisdom, revealing that he existed long before other beings or things were created. It reads: “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. … I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.” Jesus is called “the Wisdom of God.”—I Cor. 1:24

About the time that the Logos brought into existence the wonderful creation, man—in the persons of Adam and Eve—a rebellion took place in the spirit realm. Man was caught up in it, and was caused to disobey God’s law, thus becoming subject to the curse of death. Somewhere in the passage of time, the Father presented a proposition to the Logos to play even a greater part in his plan. It was evident that if man were to be rescued from death, another perfect man must pay the penalty by taking his place. Someone from the heavenly courts, of a spirit nature, would need to take on the human nature and to give himself a ransom.

In due time, Jehovah accomplished the transfer of his only begotten Son to the human plane: “The Logos was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) What a contrast! What did the host of angels think when he who had created them became a mere man (still perfect), giving up his exalted position with the Father?

Jesus would now fully experience what it meant to take the sinner’s place. “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” How poor? Jesus said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matt. 8:20) The poverty of our Lord lasted for thirty-three and one-half years.

The most crucial experience of our Master’s earthly pilgrimage came at its close. He was to take the sinner’s place. The penalty was death. The Heavenly Father shared in this painful experience, for he had subjected his Son to it—yet it was necessary. He must bear the sinner’s penalty in all its particulars. This was the final test upon our Redeemer. He had fulfilled a major part in the divine plan.—I Tim. 2:5,6

With Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished, the Heavenly Father exalted him far above all angels, principalities, and powers, to be his associate in the throne of the universe. What an apt reward for one who was so willing to humble himself and become obedient unto death.

“Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” This wealth, this richness that Jesus now possesses, he is willing to share with us, if we are faithful.

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