“Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God ‘s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” – Matthew 5:3 (AMP)
In Christianity, there has always been debate about the prosperity of believers. Some believe that Christians can be poor while some believe Christians shouldn’t be poor and some others are indifferent about this subject matter. Well, it is possible to be poor, materially as a believer, but it is not ordained by God to be so, because Christ gives the power, the ability, the idea needed for wealth, at least something to cater for basic needs without being too overly ambitious or desirous of material possessions at the expense of the Kingdom.
As Jesus set Himself upon the Mount where His Disciples took the extra steps to come up to Him, He taught them Kingdom principles and values starting with what is called “The Beatitudes”, meaning the teachings which focused on the Blessedness of the Believer. Christ must have had a reason for teaching this to the Disciples and to whoever chooses to listen because having the understanding of these will help to further strengthen the stand and faith of His Disciples.
As He opened His mouth, the first words He spoke are, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Being poor in the spirit is being in a state of total humility, self-insignificance and total dependence on God. This is a state whereby a man thinks himself to be nothing in God’s presence and does not have a haughty disposition in His presence. Those who are rich in the spirit have the very tendency to be proud, haughty and arrogant, such that they won’t bother to even seek God no matter their challenges.
The Message Bible renders it a bit clearer: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” God wants to be all in all in our lives and when we allow ourselves to be reduced and debased that He might be exalted, He prospers us and causes His will to prevail in our lives.
Having had a clear interpretation of what it means to be poor in spirit, now, we can think about how many times we have had peace with our state of needing God. If you are always trying to figure things out yourself, it’s a clear proof you don’t want God in your matter. In many matters of life, we will always be at the end of our ropes, and it is the principle of the Kingdom that the Disciple depends on the Master totally for He said, “…for without Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
So, for you to enjoy the blessedness that comes with being poor in spirit, that is, with being at the end of yourself, you must be satisfied with turning over everything about you to God and allowing Him fix things for you. Do not be proud nor haughty. Trust in God and maintain your faith in Him.
Practical Application: Take 30 minutes to identify areas of your life where you’ve lived as though you didn’t need God. Pay attention to them and repent.
Confession: My life is yielded to the Lord daily. I trust in the Lord with all my heart and I do not lean on my own understanding.
Related Scriptures: Luke 6:20
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 5, Luke 6
