The Poor in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“
Matthew 5:3

“Blessed” means to be happy. What is it to be poor in spirit? How is it that one poor in spirit can be happy? To be spiritually poor is to have a lowly opinion of oneself when it comes to having or obtaining personal righteousness. It is the understanding and confession of utter sinfulness, having no intrinsic righteousness. Nor is anyone capable of producing an acceptable righteousness before God. The man poor in spirit finds no confidence before God even through his finest religious endeavors.

Rather, the poor in spirit rests in the sovereign grace and mercy of God for any and all eternal good. The poor in spirit understands that all religious deeds performed in hopes of gaining righteousness are as filthy rags and dung before the Thrice-Holy God. The poor in spirit understands by faith that the Master works all things out for good. In light of God’s promises, he is willing to be where God in His providence places him. He is willing to bear whatever may be laid upon him, including trials and tribulations. The poor in spirit follows as the Lord leads, trusting that his life is in God’s hands. And yet, through all these things, he is one who knows he deserves nothing from God. His is a heart filled with humility and gratitude for all that God has freely given him. In fact, even his gratitude-filled heart is a gift from God in Christ!

Humanity is fallen, poor, needy, and woefully deficient in understanding Divine truth. This is why Scripture teaches, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” We come to understand through the prayerful and diligent study of the Word. The believer relies on and is taught by God through the work of the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, “who guides us into all truth.” The poor in is comforted and taught by the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Christ). What comfort is afforded in knowing God’s people have a helper who will never leave us!

Being poor in spirit is antithetical to foolish pride, self-righteousness, and vanity. There is peace and enjoyment in understanding and confessing what we, as fallen creatures, truly are! We are needy sinners who must find Sabbath rest in Christ lest we perish! Thankfully, the poor in spirit have joy, hope, peace, and great confidence in the Savior who greatly loves His people! To God’s children is the kingdom of heaven!

So many in religion think themselves “rich, increased with goods and in need of nothing!” Believing all is well between them and God, they suppose their acceptance is based on personal religious goodness. They assume everything to be fine, knowing not they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

The poor in spirit, by contrast, are thirsty and come to the waters! They are poor and needy, but they buy and eat! They “buy wine and milk without money and without price” and are very happy and content in their LORD. Halleluiah!

Happy is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Soli Deo Gloria!

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Greg Flannery teaches the Bible at Redeemer Church.