“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 5:3
I never really understood this verse. “Blessed are the poor in spirit”…shouldn’t it be “blessed are the rich in spirit”? I mean, being poor means deficient or lacking in something specified…and the thing specified here is spirit.
But now, I think I know what Jesus meant here. Lets read a few other verses that correlate to Matthew 5:3:
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Luke 11:10
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” -James 1:5
“Ask and it will be given to you” -Matthew 7:7a
If you haven’t noticed, there is a theme in these verses; asking leads to receiving.This is why the poor in spirit are blessed; because they are not afraid to ask!
You don’t see rich people asking to have their needs met by others…why? Because they can provide for themselves. But in the case of the spirit, no one can provide for themselves. We need to come to such a point of humility that we ask, or beg, out of the depths of our insufficiency. And to do this, we will be like beggars.
There are so many things that I know I need that I wont get anywhere other than from God (like an unyielding faith in Him, stronger self-control, or becoming more disciplined in my time I spend with God), but I know I haven’t reached a point of desperation, and that is why I haven’t received! Could I walk up to Jesus and touch His cloak as the sick woman did (Matthew 9:20–22)? Could I come to Jesus and kneel before Him and ask to be healed, as the man with leprosy did (Matthew 8:1–4)? Could I call out to Jesus for mercy as the blind men did (Matthew 9:27:30)?
Every person Jesus healed had asked, sought, or knocked first, in some way or another. If we have not, it is because we ask not. So that is the truth in how the poor in spirit are blessed.
Let us become beggars! Let us be paupers! Let us plead for our needs out of the depths of our insufficiencies! Let us ask, seek, and knock! Let us be poor in spirit! — For then we shall receive.
Born in 1989, Colton (the author of LivngForJesus) is child of God, husband, soon-to-be father (baby on the way), the Outreach & Youth Director at Gateway Christian Church and a graphic/web designer. He has had a passion for ministry since his mid-teens....
Great article! This made me understand more. More of this please. (^-^) God bless!
Beautifully written. Thanks.
Thank you so much letting me know. It is always reaffirming when I hear this site has helped someone out. God Bless You Hugo
-Colton
I really want to thank you for this message. It has opened my eyes to what asking truly means. This reminds me of the parable of the sower. We need to get to the point where our lives become like good soil and is ready for God to work with.