No, Jesus did not remain rich in earthly terms; He willingly became poor to make believers spiritually rich.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus, though rich in heavenly glory and divine attributes, emptied Himself of that wealth and took on human poverty for the sake of believers. This act of humility and sacrifice—becoming poor so that many might become spiritually rich—mirrors the apostle Paul's similar choice to give up his material wealth for the gospel. The Bible, specifically 2 Corinthians 8:9, confirms this as the core reason for Christ's impoverishment.
2 Corinthians 8:9 — This verse explicitly states that Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sakes.
The Bible plainly teaches this in 2 Corinthians 8:9: "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." This verse reveals that Jesus voluntarily exchanged His divine riches for human poverty so that believers could inherit spiritual riches. The context is Paul encouraging the Corinthians to excel in the grace of giving, using Christ's example as the ultimate model of sacrificial generosity.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus Christ, being rich in heavenly glory and divinity, willingly set aside that wealth to become poor—taking on human flesh with its limitations and suffering. He draws a parallel with the apostle Paul, who was wealthy and prominent in Judaism but counted it all as dung for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). Les emphasizes that this humility is the pattern for believers, showing that true riches are spiritual, not material. He also contrasts this with the apostate church of Laodicea, which boasted in material wealth but was spiritually poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Thus, Jesus' poverty was not accidental but deliberate, to enrich others spiritually.
Les points out that before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus was rich—profiting in the Jewish religion more than his equals, and likely owning a fine home in Jerusalem. Yet, after meeting Christ, he cast all that aside, counting it as dung, to gain Christ and make many rich spiritually (2 Corinthians 6:10). This mirrors Jesus' own self-emptying, showing that true discipleship involves a willingness to lose material wealth for the sake of the gospel.
Les Feldick clarifies that God does not mandate that believers become poor as paupers. He equally rejects the prosperity gospel—that believers automatically become millionaires. Instead, whether rich or poor, believers have a satisfying life in Christ. This emphasizes that Jesus' example was not a rule for economic status but a spiritual principle of sacrifice for others.
Les references Jesus' words to the Laodicean church: "thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). He observes that many wealthy congregations today are spiritually dead, to whom Jesus says they are actually poor. This illustrates that spiritual poverty is far worse than material poverty, and that true richness comes from Christ alone.
Are Christians Required to Tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 Explained
and understanding the Word of God, is that we believe what He says. Now granted we have to be careful. We're not going to bring into operation things that God told Israel to do back in the Old Testament. In fact again, someone called the other day, and said, "...Doesn't Malachi say, bring your gifts, and your ties, and your offerings into the storehouse?" And I said, yes. "...
Paul's Example of Becoming Poor
Les shows that Paul was rich in Judaism but willingly became poor, making many rich—paralleling Christ's own humility.
Why Did the Disciples Not Know Jesus Would Die?
For she hath brought a good work upon Me, for you have the poor always with you. My, if the sociologists could get that through their head. My, it would save us so many tax dollars. And don't think I don't have a heart for the poor. In fact, I don't think anybody has a heart for people that are without means, any greater than Mine.
Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's
Everybody would enjoy the wealth of the Kingdom, so they did it gladly. But, Israel didn't respond. The Kingdom didn't come in. And what happened to their kitty? It ran dry. Now listen, once you have relieved yourself of all your material wealth, and it's gone, it's pretty hard to start over, isn't it? And it was back then. And so what did they become? Poor.
Motivation for Paul's Poverty
Les explains that Paul refused to profit from his ministry, choosing poverty to avoid accusations, just as Christ did not cling to His riches.
Contrast with Spiritual Poverty
Les contrasts Christ's and Paul's voluntary poverty with the materially wealthy but spiritually poor church of Laodicea.
Believers' Relationship to Wealth
Les teaches that God does not require poverty for believers, nor guarantee prosperity—only a satisfying life in Christ.
Why Paul Warned About "Another Jesus" — 2 Corinthians 11:4
And I wouldn't doubt that there were some pretty well-to-do people. In fact, I know there were. There were well-to-do people in the Corinthian church. You saw that back when they goofed up the Lord's Supper, by bringing all their expensive food and wines and so forth. And so Paul says, "...
2 Corinthians 8:9: 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.
This is the foundational verse explicitly explaining Christ's voluntary impoverishment for believers.
Philippians 3:7-8: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Paul's example of giving up wealth for Christ, which Les uses to illustrate the same self-emptying principle.
Revelation 3:17: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
The contrast with the Laodicean church, showing that material wealth does not equal spiritual richness.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus gave up the riches of His heavenly glory and divine privileges to take on human flesh, which involved poverty, suffering, and death. This was a voluntary act of sacrificial love.
No, Les Feldick clarifies that God does not mandate that believers live in poverty, nor does He promise that they will all be wealthy. The example of Jesus and Paul is about humility and spiritual priorities, not a legalistic command for economic lack.
Through His poverty, believers become spiritually rich—receiving salvation, righteousness, and eternal life. Les emphasizes that this is the grace of Christ, where His sacrifice enriches us spiritually, regardless of our economic status.
Watch the Teaching: Are Christians Required to Tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 Explained