Paul wants the Corinthian church to give but he is not coercing them. He gives two examples. The first has been the poor and struggling Macedonians. Here comes the second, the rich (like they were), the Lord Jesus Christ.
Though Paul is not telling them anything they don’t know, “for you know”, what he does say has to be one of the most beautiful things he wrote, especially if you read it alongside Philippians 2.
“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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 through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:8-9z
The Lord Jesus Christ was rich, meaning He was existing before His birth in Bethlehem. He was rich because in His pre-existent state He possessed everything, for He is God.
He became poor, meaning He became human, He dwelt amongst us and He died on the cross and rose again.
Paul reminds us that as we live our life through His life we begin to experience the richness of God.
Our salvation experience is declared within this text. Thankful for His salvation of our lives through His work on the cross and resurrection.
But (and this is Paul’s application) our giving should imitate the way Christ gave Himself. Our spirit of generosity mirrors Christ’s. That’s why we give.
Missions Paul 