Alright, it seems Importunity is saying Jesus was rich, and you are saying He was far from poor, and would guess that He was rich.
I agree that He had His Father's provision at His disposal, but I think in the eyes of the world He was poor.
peace,
Simon
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV)
Like I said before the context of this is Paul talking about taking up a natural offering. It continues in chapter 9. So knowing that the context is talking about finances (offering). He even uses the example in the next chapter (9) about giving seed (he's using this illustration in reference to finance) to the sower and bread to the eater.
Now with the context being understood as him taking up an offering (financial support), we know the offering at least is physical and not spiritual. So how do I know if it was spiritual, physical or both?
Lets take a look at 4 words in the scripture we are not in agreement over.
He was RICH
g4145. πλούσιος plousios; from 4149 ; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with: —
rich. AV (28) - rich 28;
I. Wealthy, abounding in material resources
II. Metaph. abounding, abundantly supplied
A. Abounding (rich) in Christian virtues and eternal possessions
He became POOR
g4433. πτωχεύω ptōcheuō; from 4434 ; to be a beggar, i.e. (by implication) to
become indigent (figuratively): — become poor. AV (1) - become poor 1;
I. To be a beggar, to beg, to be poor g4434.
Through His POVERTY
g4432. πτωχεία ptōcheia; from 4433 ; beggary, i.e. indigence (literally or
figuratively): — poverty. g4433.
Might become RICH
g4147. πλουτέω plouteō; from 4148 ; to be (or become) wealthy (literally or
figuratively): — be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich.
First of all the word rich are two different words here, and two different words for poor.
So in trying to figure out what rich He's talking about I have to figure out a few other things. Like what poor or poverty he's talking about. If He's talking about something spiritual then it would imply that their was a time that they were more spiritually rich than Jesus. I don't believe that so now I have to go back to the context and the words. In doing so I look at his poverty and my rich. Trying to figure this out the only time men were richer than Jesus (physically) was when He was on the cross.
Looking at the word poverty in the Greek it puts Jesus as indigent or the status of a beggar. So the only time that was the case was when He was stripped naked and the Sin of the world was upon Him.
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. (Psalm 37:25, 26 NKJV)
The only time Jesus was forsaken and at the status of a beggar was on the Cross. So one can conclude this is talking about a physical condition. It fits the context that Paul was talking about. He was assuring them, building their faith.
The offer to you of an email correspondence is I am a pastor and I get real busy. So I might not jump on here to go back and forth all the time. I was giving you an avenue to continue if you wish (I check my emails all the time). What I have given you thus far is not even an introduction to my studies on this subject. The offer is there so if you are serious about our discussion to being open as I am open. Then we can continue. It's not about me being right or you being right, it's about truth in the Word.
I used to hate the prosperity message, it's not the message, it's the messenger. There are a lot of people trying to take this message and pervert it. Both ways... Impoverished and wealth. There is a balanced view for which I believe. I don't chase poverty and I don't chase wealth... I chase Christ alone.
Be blessed my brother.