The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” These familiar words probably bring to mind the weekly passing of the offering plate. So, as you hear them, how should these words impact you?

It’s easy to forget that before he became poor, our Savior was sensationally rich. He was God of God from eternity past, and in his resurrection he was declared to be heir of all things. He made, sustains, and owns all of creation. And nevertheless, as we sing, “Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, all for love’s sake becamest poor.” We see this in his taking on flesh. We see this in his lowly birth. We see this in his humble life. As Christ said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). We see this supremely in his humbling himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor.”

As Paul highlights this truth, his point is not to shame the Corinthians into giving more. On the contrary, his point here is that Christian giving has nothing to do with coercion; it’s all about Christ and his cross. Paul encourages the grace of giving by preaching the gospel. And remember, the gospel doesn’t bark orders at you from the outside; it takes hold of you from within. Christ’s love is a constraining, controlling love. “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

We have so much to be grateful for as God’s people. But don’t hear Paul’s words wrongly. You will not find the power to give in your gratitude. The power is found in your crucified and risen Savior. He is dwelling within you, so that your life – and even your giving – might become cross shaped. Does that sound hard? Well, no cross is easy to bear. But don’t forget: in your risen Savior, you too have become sensationally rich.

Thus, as you think about giving in this new year, make sure you look to your generous Savior. Don’t just look from a distance – look to him as your life and inheritance. Christ in you is your hope of glory, and Christ in you is your hope of generous, God-honoring, Christlike, cross-shaped giving.