Poor In Spirit
Thank you for tuning in today. In today’s lesson we are going to start to explore the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.
The word Beatitude, in Latin, Beatitudo, means Blessedness. That blessedness is reserved for those who exhibit the qualities and experiences similar to those in the Kingdom of heaven. So let’s look at the first blessing that has been bestowed upon those who seek God with all their heart,soul, and mind.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
To be poor can be translated as to crouch as a helpless beggar.
There is nothing prideful if you are a helpless beggar. We must be humble in our spirits. If you substitute the word humble for poor it will add clarity to this verse.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
To live in abject poverty means that you are totally dependent on God to meet all your needs.
You realize that under your own power you are helpless to rise above your circumstances. The poor in spirit have the same heart and attitude as the poor and destitute of the world. They are totally dependent on God to meet all of their needs. Only those that realize they have nothing to offer God can be the recipients of God’s grace. If you claim to be self-sufficient then it would be safe to say that God plays little or no part in your spiritual life.
If we look at the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector it’s easy to see what true humility should look like.
Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
The whole time the Pharisee is talking to God, he’s saying look at me, I’ve done this and that and the other thing just for you.
Yet he fails to acknowledge his own sinful shortcomings. He is puffed up and prideful to the extreme. Yet, the tax collector who by his own admission acknowledges that he is sinful and throws himself on the mercy of almighty God has found favor with his Lord and Savior.
Paul also is brutally honest about his own inability to overcome sin.
Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Under our own power we will always come short of what God wants for us.
If we surrender all that we are, and we are totally dependent on God to meet our needs, we will never lack for anything. We will be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
In this next scripture Paul speaks about a life totally surrendered and dependent on God to meet his needs.
Philippians 4:11-12 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Paul says no matter what the situation I’m going to be content.
Whether I’m starving or if I just got a t bone from Texas Roadhouse. Whether I have a roof over my head or I lost everything during the pandemic.
How can we have that kind of peace in our lives? In this next verse Paul tells us how he overcame all the trials and tribulations that life threw at him.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
That is a very powerful statement. Paul says he can do all things, not some things, or a few things, but all things through Christ.
So, how are we strengthened through Christ?
First, by studying and applying God’s word to our daily lives. If we are truly poor in spirit God’s word will be our lifeline.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Every word that comes from the mouth of God. In other words everything that is in your Bible, has the power to not only sustain you, but to strengthen you.
Next, prayer plays a significant roll in our lives.
If we are totally dependent upon God to meet our needs, then we should worship the One who provides for those needs. When we come to the Father with reverence and humility He will hear our prayers. Our go to example of how we should pray is Jesus.
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Jesus’ prayers were heartfelt.
There were loud cries of anguish and tears rolling down His cheeks. He prayed and He was heard because he prayed in the proper spirit, a spirit of reverence.
Finally, we are strengthened through Christ by fellowship with other Christians.
Being built up, encouraged and edified in the faith.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
So, the poor in spirit are totally dependent upon God to meet their needs, but they are not left helpless.
It is through God’s infallible word, prayer and the bonds of Christian fellowship that we can fight off the fiery darts that Satan throws our way each and every day. We can be humble and still be conquerors.
This concludes today’s lesson.
As always I’d like to thank you for listening and may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it.