Poor In Spirit

Jesus taught that one of the foundational principles of His kingdom is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). Poverty of any kind seems contrary to most concepts of the kingdom of heaven. But much of what Jesus teaches turns accepted ideas and concepts on their heads.

So, what does it mean to be poor in spirit? I saw one commentator write: “Blessed the beggarly in spirit” (Lenski). He says it is because the word signifies “cringing, crouching like a beggar” and is a stronger word than just being poor. It is being applied to our inner man, our spirit, and how it is contrite and humble before God.

The poverty in this verse isn’t physical but spiritual. It’s an attitude and a realization that we are spiritually helpless, we are like spiritual beggars who have nothing to give to God or ourselves. We are empty and have to come to God for the grace and mercy we must have to survive.

I suspect that being truly poor in spirit and admitting it is difficult for most Americans. Most of us have grown up in a culture of individualism and self-reliance. It’s: “Work hard and you’ll be successful. If you have nothing it is because you didn’t work hard enough!” So, admitting, “I have nothing” spiritually sounds like failure. And the realization that “I have nothing” will probably simply motivate trying to work harder to have spiritual blessings rather than coming to God empty and crouching like a beggar. But Jesus said that those who are poor in spirit already ARE blessed!

Here's the important takeaway that I see: When we see the amazing holiness of God and our own sinfulness in contrast, we’re ready to come to God for holiness. When we are intimidated by the righteousness of God and ashamed by our own unrighteousness, we’re ready to come to God. When we see that God has EVERYTHING and we have NOTHING, we’re ready to come to God.

We are tempted to think that the kingdom of God is for the good people, the successful people, the people who can bring things to God for His use in His kingdom. But people who don’t think they need God don’t come to God. God can’t use people who feel they can be righteous and useful on their own without Him. When we realize we have nothing, that’s when God can fill us. It feels physically wrong, but it is spiritually right.

Note: Luke’s account says, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Lk 6:20). It may be that the “in spirit” is simply implied, however it may be that generally poor people find it easier to look to and depend on God for things, and therefore can more easily feel their spiritual emptiness and look to God for spiritual filling. It should be a wake up call to those of us who aren’t poor – both physical and spiritually!   dd

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3)