The Poor in spirit

In Ps 86:1 we read David’s plea for the Lord to hear him, for he is “poor and needy”. This reminds us that the first beatitude states that the poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven. What is the advantage of being poor in spirit, or “poor and needy” before God? Let’s look at the opposite of being poor in spirit first; being “full” of ourselves.

When we value ourselves too much, we promote who we are and are full of ourselves. In other words, we suffer no lack within ourselves because of who we esteem ourselves to be. It’s as if we own our gift and calling, and not that these things are from God. Being poor and needy is being dependant on God, the Gift-giver, the Creator. What we say and do is for Him, and not for ourselves.

When enemy, and people, oppress us with their unbelief in what we say and do, it can cause us to shore up our self esteem by our own means. A rising-up in our spirits to defend ourselves for who we are may occur. Once we do this, we are led to then promote ourselves by our gifts as proof that we are who we say we are. At this point our gifts and calling become tools for our own purposes instead of instruments for God’s glory.

When challenged, truth is our champion and time is our vindicator. Jesus has the two-edged sword in His mouth, and so should His followers. He is the Word of God, and reliance on the Word has always been his defense, even when He could have called legions of angles to assist Him. So should we answer with the truth and by the Spirit; the two edged sword. Over time God will prove who we are by letting His deposit in us come forth in greater and greater power. If we suffer for Him, we will know Him. If our boasting is from Him, we will not be full of ourselves, but of God. So being poor in spirit, we will be rich in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.