I wonder what Paul means by this?

I sometimes wish Paul was more plain is his writing.  He tends to be a bit "flowery" and I think that sometimes obscures his meaning.  Here is an example.

2 Corinthians 8:9(NKJV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

In what way did Jesus become poor?  He and His family, in an earthly sense weren't poor.  They received a lot of expensive gifts from the wise men when Jesus was born.  In addition the Bible seems to indicate that they were gainfully employed as carpenters.

Could it be that He became poor by becoming human?  If so then that may put a new twist on the whole the poor inherit the earth thing.  This will bear further study.