Matthew 5:3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
The words that Jesus speaks are so powerful. His words are filled with substance and deep meaning. Jesus has never spoken idle words. The beatitudes of our Lord are powerful, holding before the world a descriptive picture of the true disciples of God. The beatitudes cover the glorious hope and reward the believer can expect now as well as in eternity.
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge spiritual poverty. It is poverty, absolute and object poverty of spirit. It is very destitute and conspicuously “poor in spirit.”
Please note that being “poor in spirit” does not mean that a person must be poverty-stricken and financially poor. Hunger, nakedness, and slums are not pleasing to God, especially in a world of plenty. Christ is not talking about material poverty. He means what He says: “poor in spirit”. Being “poor in spirit” means several things:
To acknowledge our utter helplessness before God, our spiritual poverty, our spiritual need. We are solely dependent upon God to meet our need.
To acknowledge our utter lack in facing life and eternity apart from God. To acknowledge that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God.
To acknowledge our utter lack of superiority before all others and our spiritual deadness before God. To acknowledge that we are no better, no richer, no more superior than the next person – no matter what we have achieved in this world (fame, fortune, power). Our attitude toward others is not proud and haughty, not superior and overbearing. To be “poor in spirit” means acknowledging that every human MATTER just like everyone else. To be “poor in spirit” is to have a keen understanding that “People Matter”, regardless of who they are. The believer’s “poor in spirit” approaches life in humility and appreciation, not as though life owes him, but as though he owes life. He has been given the privilege of living; therefore, he journeys through life with a humble attitude and he contributes all he can to a needy world out of a spirit of appreciation.
The opposite of being “poor in spirit” is having a spirit that is “full of self”. There is a world of difference between these two spirits. There is the difference of thinking that we are righteous verses acknowledging that we need the righteousness of Christ. The reward or the blessing of being “poor in spirit” – is the “Kingdom of Heaven”.
Much Love,
Because He is – I am
Presider
