"The apostle, in this chapter, was endeavoring to stir up the Corinthians to liberality. He desired for them to contribute something for those who were the poor in the flock, that he might be able to minister to their necessities. He tells them, that the churches of Macedonia, though much poorer than the church at Corinth, had given even beyond their means for the relief of the Lord’s family, and he exhorts the Corinthians to do the same.

But suddenly remembering that examples taken from inferiors seldom have a powerful effect he lays aside his argument drawn from the church of Macedonia, and he holds before them a reason for generosity which the hardest heart can scarcely resist, once that reason is applied by the Spirit. “My brethren,” he said, “there is One above, in whom is your hope of salvation, One whom you call Master and Lord, now if you will just imitate him, you cannot be ungenerous or tightfisted. For, my brethren, ‘you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.’ Let this compel you to compassion and generosity.”

And now, dear friends, the argument of the apostle will be our subject today. It divides itself in an extremely simple manner.

1. We have first, the pristine condition of our Savior — “He was rich.”

2. Next we have, his condescension — “He became poor.”

3. And then we have the effect and result of his poverty — “That we might become rich.”

4. We will then close by giving you a doctrine, a question, and an exhortation.