Matthew’s record of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” begins with the statement “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Like each of the “beatitudes,” this statement shows the stark contrast between those who seem blessed in the eyes of the world and those who truly are blessed according to God.
The word translated “poor” in Matthew 5:3 can mean “destitute of wealth, influence, position, honors; lowly, afflicted,” or “helpless, powerless to accomplish an end” (see Thayer & Strong-G4434). When we consider these definitions, it helps us see that the one who is poor in spirit recognizes his or her hopelessness without God.
Those who are truly blessed do not claim to be spiritually “independent” or “self-sufficient,” but claim the very opposite of this. Those who are poor in spirit realize we are dependent on God. Without God, we are doomed for eternal destruction.
The tax collector of Luke 18:10-14 recognized this. Unlike the Pharisee who boasted about how great he was and treated God as though God were fortunate to have him, the tax collector “would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (verse 13). While the Pharisee thought he was high and mighty, the tax collector recognized he was poor and lowly. He knew that it was only through God’s mercy that he could be forgiven of his sin, and receive salvation.
The Bible is full of examples of men who had a heart more like that of the Pharisee, and were proven foolish for such an attitude.
When Moses was sent by God to tell Pharaoh to release Israel from bondage, Pharaoh responded “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2). Pharaoh thought he was powerful, and may have seemed so in the eyes of the people. He was proven a fool by God though when the ten plagues came upon Egypt.
Pharaoh’s pride led to his downfall, while the meekest man on earth led the Israelites out of bondage (cf. Numbers 12:3). Such “turning of the tables” is common in the Bible. God repeatedly humbles those who exalt themselves and exalts those who humble themselves.
Those added by God to His kingdom are not the “high and mighty” Pharaoh’s, but those who, like David, cry out “Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1).
David recognized that we are undeserving of anything better than eternal destruction because of how we have treated God. None of us would exist, or have anything we need to survive without the allowance of God. Those too proud to acknowledge our dependence on Him will be brought low on the Day of Judgment.
The poor in spirit acknowledge their helplessness without God, and give Him all glory.
Truly, the poor in spirit are far more blessed than the wealthiest, healthiest, most prestigious, most liked, most famous individuals on earth, for Jesus said of the poor in spirit, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
– Michael Hickox