The pursuit [of gold and wealth] was a dream—a glittering allurement; the possession incited a lust for more, and that was madness.”
–Zane Grey (The Border Legion)
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–“
–Revelation 3:17(NKJV)
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“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 5:3 (NASB)
“How happy are the humble-minded, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” –Matthew 5:3 (Phillips)
One thing that must be observed and is very important when studying the beatitudes is to keep in mind that they are spiritual in nature for the most part. Do not try to understand them totally in the natural sense. This will become clear as we look at the first beatitude–the poor in spirit. John Calvin said, “He only who is reduced to nothing in himself, and relies on the mercy of God, is poor in spirit.”
The Greek word means absolute and abject poverty. Does that mean that only the poor are blessed enough to see the kingdom of heaven? See, it must be seen in the spiritual sense. This phrase describes the humble and helpless who must put their whole trust in God. David wrote, “This poor man cried out and the LORD heard him…” (Psalm 34:6, NKJV); it speaks of a man who was brought to the sense of his sins. This is the gist of the great hymn by John Newton that shows forth this concept: “Amazing grace…that saved a wretch like me…” That person was poor in spirit.
That is one reason why Jesus said that it would be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. He has trouble being low, for what does he need? But it is not impossible, for a rich person can recognize his great need of a Savior because of his sin. Then he has become poor in spirit. Light is shown on this by William Barclay, “Blessed is the man who is abjectly and completely poverty-stricken. Blessed is the man who is absolutely destitute.” He is not speaking of the homeless that we see on the street. He is not speaking of the down and out who have nothing to call their own. This is the man that is described in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart–these, O God, You will not despise.” (NKJV) This is the tax collector of Luke 18:13, “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!'” (NKJV) These individuals are poor in spirit.
The theologian D.A. Carson says, “To be poor in spirit is not to lack courage but to acknowledge spiritual bankruptcy. It confesses one’s unworthiness before God and utter dependence on Him.” William Barclay adds to this, “The man who is poor in spirit is the man who has realised that things mean nothing, and that God means everything. A very literal translation would be blessed is the man who has realized his own utter helplessness, and who has put his whole trust in God. He is completely detached from things, and therefore, he is completely attached to God.
We often quote Philippians 4:19 in the comfort of our living room, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) Notice that it is singular. What is our need? Jesus Christ! Everything else is secondary. When we study this verse it is good that we take time to inventory our lives, look at our priorities and adjust them if necessary. “To be poor in spirit is to realize that I have nothing, am nothing, and can do nothing, and have need of all things.” (Arthur Pink) That is hard for us to say or to realize. We can use that little plastic card, or now use the phone to get what we think we need. Remember, poor in spirit is not natural for it means health and strength in God. The opposite of which is haughty, self-assertive, and self-sufficient. “Poverty of spirit is evident in a person when he is brought into the dust before God to acknowledge his utter helplessness.” (Pink)
“Amazing grace…that saved a wretch like me…” This is the poor in spirit; this is the person who receives grace. Thomas Watson said, “A man never comes to himself until he comes out of himself.” This week, look at your heart. Where is your wealth? Where do you put your trust? Can you add a single day or hour to your life? Compare your prayer to that of the tax collector and that of the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14).