Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Previously, I pointed out that “blessed” meant “good”. In this verse Jesus is saying that it is good if you are poor in spirit. Not so much that spiritual poverty is good but rather the Godly promise that comes with it is very good. Spiritual poverty is actually an assumed state of being in this case.
Being poor in spirit means that one realizes that they have nothing in or of themselves that has spiritual value. In reality we are all poor in spirit because no one has anything of spiritual value in them. All have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23) so none of us have anything to offer God, or anyone else, spiritually.
While all of humanity is spiritually poor I believe Jesus is saying that it is good when we are aware of this. When we realize that we are truly spiritually bankrupt then we approach God with the proper attitude of humility, contrition, and reverence. We should come to God in the same manner the prodigal son approached his father when he returned from a foreign land (Luke 15:18-19). We should come to God with the realization that it would be a great spiritual improvement just to be considered His slave/servant.
Too often Christians have the attitude that God owes them. They believe that God should be grateful that they have chosen Him. I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said that many Christians think of “their God” in the same way they think of their shoes. That somehow He belongs to them rather than the other way around.
The western political system may have something to do with this. American Christians are accustomed to having their government officials appealing for their vote every election cycle. Politicians like to refer to themselves as public servants. Too many Christians believe God is, or should be, trying to win their favor. This view is backwards. God is neither an elected government official nor anyone’s servant. He is the awesome and almighty King! He does not need our vote; we need His mercy and benevolence.
When we respond to God with the proper attitude then the correct situation exists for us to be in fellowship with Him. We can have a relationship with Him. When we have a relationship with God that is based on who He is and what we are then we are part of the Kingdom of Heaven and we are blessed.
Almighty and most high God, thank You for loving us and calling us to be Your children. Give us a proper understanding of who You are and what a right relationship with You looks like. Make us aware of how spiritually poverty-stricken we are so that we will truly see how desperately we need You.
2 Replies to “Matthew 5:3”
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yes, that’s so truthful, for myself that i felt so easily drifting away from God due to my personal desire or pleasure in things or flesh. my spirit are often weak and dry and easily being tempted by worldly things or entertainment. or trapped in family problems and busy caring for my little son etc and easily forgot who God is and i am His servant , His child too. Daily reading and thinking about His words are very important, empty our thoughts in things and focus on His words and His presence when i fell empty and sinful.
Ethan, thank you for your comment and your honesty. You are so correct that daily Bible reading and meditating on God’s Word help keep our focus on God and off ourselves.