From Riches To Rags

You've probably heard the term "from rags to riches", describing how someone started out being poor and ultimately became very wealthy. Well, I'm going to flip that commonly used phrase, and change it to say "riches to rags", and apply it to a fundamental Christian truth. 

Now there are many fundamental Christian truths. Here are a few: Jesus is the Savior of the world, Jesus died for our sins on the cross, Jesus resurrected from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and is coming back again. 

But there is another fundamental truth of Christianity: Jesus is God in the flesh. That's right, Jesus, is Deity. He is part of the 3-fold God-head (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). When Jesus walked on earth, He was God in human form. 

If you really think about this truth, that Jesus is God, then you must conclude that Jesus existed before the creation of the world! And guess what? You would be right! 

"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him."  (John 1:1-3)

There are many descriptive titles for Jesus in the Bible. One of my favorite titles is found in an Old Testament prophecy by Isaiah about the coming Messiah, Jesus. In this prophecy, Jesus is referred to as "the King of Glory". 

Here's the powerful realization that we can't help but conclude: The King of Glory purposely came to earth in human form with the intention of dying on the cross to pay for our sins! Jesus went from riches to rags! So that we could go from rags to riches! That truth is plainly stated in the following verse. 

"You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

What this beautiful yet profound verse is saying is that Jesus, who was rich (existing in the heavenly realm), became poor for our sakes (purposely lowered Himself to a humble servant in human form), in order for us who believe in Him to become rich (acquiring His gracious gift of salvation). Wow! 


"Someone who was rich, decided to become poor,

so someone who was poor, could decide to become rich

Someone sacrificed, and gave His life away

Someone lost His life, so some may find the Way

Someone who was first, decided to become last, 

so someone who was last, could decide to become first

Someone sacrificed, and gave His life away

Someone lost His life, so some may find the Way

Someone from above, decided to come below

so someone from below, could decide to come above

Someone sacrificed, and gave His life away

Someone lost His life, so some may find the Way"

(lyrics from my original song "Rich Poor Rich")