Rich!
The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. ~ 1 Samuel 12:22a (NLT)
You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us -- in one stroke he became poor and we became rich. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:9 (MSG)
KEY IDEA:
The Lord always takes care of his people -- even when he has to make sacrifices.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving up your safe place in heaven -- and then giving up your own life -- so that you could come to be with us. Our lives are richer because of your sacrifices. Forgive me for placing too much value on the material riches in the world. Show me again how rich I really am through you. I'm going to honor your name with my life. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
