Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Today when we hear that someone is "blessed," we often think of a comfortable lifestyle, good health and a successful job.  What exactly does it mean to be poor in spirit, and why does being poor in spirit result in the kingdom of heaven?  Why is “poor in spirit” something God wants us to be?  Why would God want us to be “poor” at anything?  Some believe that Jesus is speaking of financial poverty, that He is promoting being poor so that riches and possessions do not come between us and God.  While it is true that Jesus elsewhere warned against seeking riches (See Matthew 6:24), that does not seem to be Jesus’ point in Matthew 5:3. 

Jesus is speaking of being “poor in spirit”; in other words being “spiritually poor.”  In the beatitudes, Jesus is concerned with spiritual realities, not material possessions.  It is the opposite of arrogant self–confidence which dominates over other people and treats God as irrelevant.  The “poor in spirit” are those who cast themselves on God's grace and we personally acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy before God.  It is the tax collector in the temple, beating his chest and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Jesus’s followers are those who are completely reliant upon God for their spiritual well-being. Because we recognize our spiritual poverty, we look to Christ to fulfill our needs.  We lean on Him alone to supply us with all that makes us worthy to receive the riches of the blessings of God’s Kingdom.

Those who are in Christ, and are “poor in spirit” should rejoice that we have a Savior and Redeemer through whom we have peace with God, and by whom we are spiritually worthy to stand in the presence of God and take our place in His Kingdom.

Have a blessed week!

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