When the Bible says Jesus became poor, it doesn’t mean He was in lack compared to where He came from—a place where the streets are made of gold. Coming to live on earth, He became poor in comparison. For example, He had to use Caesar’s money, and when people asked Him whose inscription was on the coin, He responded, “Caesar’s.” He had to depend on certain women to meet His needs before He could fulfill His ministry. In this way, He became poor.

When the source of provision now needed to be provided for, He had indeed become poor. But understand this: the Bible says He didn’t become poor just for the sake of being poor. He became poor for your sake, so that through His poverty, you might become rich.

Let me illustrate this with a program on the BBC where an ultra-poor family and an ultra-rich family swap homes for a few days. The rich family is given an amount of money based on the poor family’s daily spending, and they are shocked to see how some people actually live. Meanwhile, the poor family experiences what it means to live in wealth. They are amazed and, in some cases, overwhelmed by the richness of their temporary home. But here’s the point: the rich family did not become poor because they were naturally poor; they became poor in this exchange so that the other family could experience wealth.

Similarly, through Jesus’ poverty, you might become rich. Just like the rich family wasn’t truly poor, Jesus wasn’t inherently poor, but He took on poverty for your sake. And at the end of the BBC program, both families sit together and share what they learned. Interestingly, many poor families come out of the experience with a changed mentality. Some of them didn’t even realize they were poor because everyone around them was in the same condition. Their eyes are opened to a new reality, just as your eyes are being opened to the riches in Christ.

Hallelujah! May this be your experience.

When we talk about prosperity, we’re not talking about loving money or accusing pastors of trying to take your money. No, no, no! What is wrong with coming to church and giving others a ride in your car? What’s wrong with giving scholarships to children in your community or sponsoring medical care for those in need?

Now that you know Christ became poor for you, you have no excuse to remain poor. He has paid the price. I want you to embrace the mindset that, in the name of Jesus Christ, your days of poverty are over forever.

Remain blessed in God’s presence as you listen to the full message.