Jesus Told the Christian to Be Poor in Spirit, but What Does That Mean, Why Should I Be, and How Can I Be?
The Beatitudes are a portion of Scripture that are often skimmed over and regarded lightly. They can be neat little sayings somewhat reminiscent of the Proverbs. They are short in length and, for the avid Bible reader, may not lead to deep thought if he does not slow down and meditate on what is being said. Profound statements are being declared in the Beatitudes, but sometimes we end up paying little attention.
The Beatitudes are short and simple cause-and-effect types of promises. They operate in an “if… then” type of fashion. If someone is poor in spirit, then he will surely inherit the kingdom. But another problem arises that tends to trip Christians up along the way. The problem is that the meaning of being poor in spirit can elude many believers. Careful study must be conducted to learn what is at stake.
As a result, the following questions will be answered:
- What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
- Why should the Christian be poor in spirit?
- How does the Christian become poor in spirit?
What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
At the beginning of nearly any discussion, it is important to know what the words being used actually mean. Definitions are crucial in communicating effectively and in developing a true understanding of a topic. A simple definition of the word poor means to stoop low or to crouch down as a beggar. The imagery is clear here. It is like the homeless man who lacks the food he needs to survive. He sits on the corner and pleads with those who pass him for even the smallest fraction of money or food. He will take anything that he can get as long as it is something.
Another wonderful picture in the Scriptures consists of the Canaanite woman who approaches Jesus. In Matthew 15:21-28, she cries out to Jesus to have mercy on her because her daughter is opposed by a demon. As she turns to Jesus, she is turned away by the Lord Himself as Jesus declares that He came for the lost sheep of Israel and that He will not cast His bread to dogs. But what she says next reveals that she was truly poor in spirit: “…Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Matt. 15:27). It was as though she was a beggar at her Master’s feet. She was poor in spirit before the Savior.
In this portion of Scripture, another element of what it means to be poor in spirit is revealed. The person who is poor in spirit is desperate for Jesus. He finds himself in a helpless state and realizes there is nowhere else to turn. Therefore, as all of this is lumped together in Matthew 5:3, what is clear is that the poor in spirit are those who recognize their spiritual helplessness before God. The poor in spirit are desperate for Jesus and crouch before Him pleadingly, like a beggar willing to take any scrap he can get as long as it is from Jesus.
Why should the Christian be poor in spirit?
But why should the Christian be poor in spirit? In the book of James, there is a passage of Scripture that applies to the topic at hand. It is not a perfect parallel, but nevertheless, it describes what is at stake. Scripture says, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5). While this verse in context speaks of material poverty, and being poor in spirit speaks of a spiritual helplessness, the implications are stated within this verse.
When someone is poor in spirit, he will be strong in the Lord. God desires a dependency upon Him to be developed in the life of each Christian.
The contrasting nature of Matthew 5:3 is evident as well. The word “poor” is placed up against “inherit.” An inheritance consists of wealth. But the poor in spirit are those who are lacking wealth; hence, they are poor. Therefore to answer the question of “why should a Christian be poor in spirit?”, the answer is simple: Because when you are poor, you are rich. The one who stays in a position of dependence upon God and crouches at His feet will be the one who inherits the kingdom of God.
Another reason why the Christian should be poor in spirit is because it will lead to his exaltation. Scripture says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Prov. 29:23). Based on the Scriptures, it is the humble man who is lowly in spirit. Humility throughout the Scriptures leads to God’s blessing. On the other hand, those that are not lowly in spirit are the proud.
Neutral ground does not exist for the Christian. Either he is growing in humility or growing in pride. Either he is growing in being poor in spirit or he is growing in being self-sufficient. A Christian should be poor in spirit because it brings about his own exaltation. More importantly, it brings about the favor of God, as well as God’s presence.
How does the Christian become poor in spirit?
It should be clear by now what it means to be poor in spirit, as well as why a Christian should be poor in spirit. What should naturally flow out this type of understanding is a desire to respond. So how does the Christian become poor in spirit – and how does the Christian grow in being poor in spirit?
For starters, a person must turn to God regularly and confess his sin. Psalm 51 is a psalm of confession, written after David had committed great sin before the Lord. His sin was revealed to him by Nathan the prophet, and David became sorrowful for what he had done. He was poor in spirit before the Lord and pleaded with God to forgive him. David knew that he was helpless before God and threw himself upon the mercy of God in the very first verse.
His heart is revealed in an amazing display of despair. He needed God, and he knew it. He pleaded with God, and God’s mercy was his only hope. David was in anguish before the Lord and longed for the forgiveness of God, yet he knew that the decision to forgive was not up to him. God alone could forgive sin, and David crouched before Him as a humble beggar.
However, at the end of this psalm, we can read that this type of approach to God pleased God. Scripture says, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Though delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 51:16-17). David approached the Lord in humble confession of his sin. This is something that was directly related to having a broken and contrite heart before the Lord.
David referred to it as his sacrifice to God. What this means is that it is what was pleasing to God and was acceptable by God. A broken spirit manifested through humble confession is a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
As was stated previously, humility is the path to growing in being poor in spirit. Humility doesn’t just happen overnight. One must look to the Savior and see what Christ has done in order to grow in humility. Christ became poor so others could become rich. Christ threw Himself upon the will of God in humble submission. He also became a servant and lowered himself for the sake of others. Being poor in spirit will lead to God’s blessing. Turn to the Lord in confession today of your lack of poverty, and ask God to increase your dependence upon Him.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the many ways that continue to show me Jesus Christ. Help me to recognize my deep need to be less self-sufficient and more dependent upon You. In Jesus’ name, Amen