If Jesus gave up everything for us, how can we say we can't give?
Because Christ willingly left His riches, became poor, humbled Himself, and was obedient unto death for our salvation, no believer can rightly say, "I cannot give." Christians are to adopt that same selfless attitude and give out of what they have.
Les teaches that Paul uses Christ's example to challenge Christian giving. Christ left His area of being so rich, became poor, was found in the likeness of men, humbled Himself, and became obedient even unto the death of the cross. It was of His own volition; He did not have to do it. Paul applies this to giving because believers must take that same attitude. If God in the person of Christ was willing to leave absolute control of the universe and take the role of a slave for our salvation, then who are we to say, "I can't give anything, I can't give so much"? In II Corinthians 8, Paul gives his advice that this is expedient, or good, for those who had begun before not only to do but also to be zealous a year earlier. Now they should perform the doing of it; as there was a readiness to will, so there should be a completion or performance out of what they have.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.