The classic Sermon on the Mount is preached by Jesus in Matthew chapters 5-7. These chapters include the essential teachings that Jesus imparted to us. Jesus provides us with a declarative list of blessings in chapter 5, which is commonly known as the Beatitudes. Among the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3—“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”—may be the most often cited.Though it sounds straightforward, what does it really mean to be “poor in spirit”? Why does Jesus consider them to be blessed?
Poor in spirit
Some would argue that physical or financial poverty is what Jesus is referring to here. If that were the case, why would He not simply say “blessed are the poor”? Jesus is obviously referring to a spiritual poverty of some kind by using the phrase “poor in spirit.” Not only that, Jesus asserts that the kingdom of heaven belongs to these spiritually impoverished and destitute. In other words, Jesus is explaining how someone can inherit the riches of heaven. But first, they must understand their spiritual condition. The Bible makes clear that we are all sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The prophet Isaiah said that our good deeds are as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). We are completely helpless to save ourselves and pull ourselves out of our spiritual situation.
Blessed
Individuals who recognize the extent and character of their transgressions would approach Jesus in humility rather than with a sense of superiority. Those who understand that Jesus Christ is their only hope—both in life and death—are considered destitute in spirit. They have nothing positive to contribute and no personal righteousness. They cling desperately to Jesus as their Savior. That Savior and the only one who can save us is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is the reason they are blessed. The Easy-to-Read Version’s translation of Matthew 5:3 effectively conveys this: “Those who recognize their spiritual need will receive great blessings. To them belongs the kingdom of God.
Enter the kingdom of God
If you are a born-again Christian, you realized you were spiritually bankrupt at some point. Rather than becoming wealthy, every individual who has joined God’s kingdom has done so as a poor spirit.
A rich man approached Jesus in Matthew 19:16–26 asking how he could be granted eternal life. We can learn valuable lessons from this tale about spiritual richness and poverty.
“If you would enter life, keep the commandments,” urged Jesus to him. To which ones, he asked? It was then that Jesus declared, “You shall not commit adultery, murder, steal, or give false testimony. You shall also honor your parents and yourself and love your neighbor as yourself.” He was told by the young man, “All these I have kept.” What am I still missing? “If you would be perfect, go, sell everything you own, and give to the poor; and come, follow me,” replied Jesus to him. “And you will have treasure in heaven.” The young man left in sorrow after learning this because he possessed valuables. Matthew 19:17–22
After this conversation, Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.“(Matthew 19:23-24) Was Jesus merely referring to that man’s bank account or was He pointing to a greater issue in the man’s life? Remember that the man had told Jesus that he had kept all of the commandments from his youth (Matthew 19:20) – he thought he was physically and spiritually rich. Until he was willing to let go of his money and his pride, he would not be able to enter the kingdom of God.
And you?
How about you? Which group do you belong to? Have you known what a blessing it is to become spiritually impoverished? Or do you still hold onto the belief that you can earn your own salvation by clinging to your own spiritual wealth? Permit me to encourage you to cast your cares and sins at the foot of the cross on this particular day. In order to inherit a greater treasure—Christ, the hope of glory—you might also need to sell everything you own, as Jesus instructed the rich young ruler (Colossians 1:27).
