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” (Matt. 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 are truly the most 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 understand 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. To be poor in spirit means to realize we are dependent on God. Without God, our lives lack deep meaning and purpose, and we are doomed for eternal punishment.
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 be me a sinner” (verse 13). While the Pharisee thought he was high and mighty, the tax collector recognized that without God’s mercy, he would be nothing more than an utterly destitute slave of sin.
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” (Exod. 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 Israel out of bondage (cf. Num. 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 who are faithful citizens in God’s kingdom are not the “self-sufficient” Pharaohs, but those who share the mindset exemplified by David when he said, “Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1).
None of us would have anything we need without God. Without His grace and our faithful obedience to Him, we have no hope beyond eternal condemnation in hell. Those too proud to acknowledge this will be brought low on the Day of Judgment.
The poor in spirit acknowledge their helplessness without God, and thus humbly surrender to His will.
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