God’s Constitution, Pt 2: Poor in Spirit
Matthew 5:1-3 1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them. He said: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 66:1-2 1This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? 2Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
In our modern society, where success is often measured in terms of wealth, the term ‘poor in spirit’ can be a conundrum. Also, it is difficult to understand the connection between financially poor and poor in spirit. Certainly, no one desires to be materially poor, but as with most things, it’s what one does with material poverty that counts. It seems to me that a person in material poverty has two choices: One can choose to gripe about it and seek illicit means to cure the poverty, or one can recognize the only sure resource available is to seek God’s grace. It is this second choice which is most connected to spiritual poverty.
There is much to say about the dangers of wealth and affluence, but the focus of this posting is the poor in spirit so we will continue in that vein. Whatever our station in life God wants his children focused on Him and his Son.
…..I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11b-13)
This is another of the ways that material poverty and spiritual poverty connect. If we let them, both can drive one to solace in Christ. At some point in their walk with Jesus, all people come to the realization that they can do nothing in their own strength. This is particularly true for the materially poor because they have nothing to offer and so do not try. The materially poor are financially bankrupt and thus have no support system except God. The poor in spirit are spiritually bankrupt; they recognize their unworthiness before God and their utter dependence upon him.
Material poverty is not a thing to be sought, but spiritual poverty is because this sense of unworthiness is healthy. It argues against pride, self-importance, and obstinacy. It leads to humility, repentance, and obedience. But what does it mean to be ‘content in any situation’, and what does Jesus mean when He says, ‘theirs is the kingdom of heaven’? The materially poor have an advantage in this area because it frees them from the anxiety about the future. It enables them to understand that all things, no matter their monetary value, are to be used for our daily needs and to give honor and glory to God, but not to be pursued for their own intrinsic value. There’s an old cliché that says, “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor; rich is better.” I’m not sure that’s true. Paul is saying that the key to this dilemma is to be content with what one has. Being content is rooted in knowing one’s true value and relationship with Jesus, and here is where the kingdom of heaven comes in. Remember, ‘kingdom of heaven’ is a euphemism for ‘kingdom of God’. Membership in the family of God comes (present tense) when ones realize they, by themselves, can achieve nothing. One in this joyous place with Christ can relax from the stresses of the world and accept Christ’s rule and let Him guide them in their living.
Having spiritual poverty means one is actualizing Christ’s blessing in their lives. They are so submitted to Jesus that they are witnessing the working out of Isaiah 61 in their lives. Their physical, emotional, and spiritual hurts are bandaged. They are freed from the slavery of sin and healing light is shown on the darkened parts of their hearts. They receive the Lord’s blessing, they are comforted, and they are released from their grief. These things are released because spiritual poverty pushes a person towards God. They no longer stress about the daily struggles. Please understand, they still have the struggles, they just spent less time worrying about the outcome. They trust that Jesus will guide them through. This means they are in frequent prayer, that they listen for God’s answer to their requests, and that they are content with the answers. If one is poor in spirit, one recognizes his or her inability to deserve or earn anything without intervention by God. That person must turn to God because only He can provide what is lacking. There is a profound irony here: Without spiritual poverty a person can’t recognize his need for help, so he doesn’t seek it, seldom receives it, and so doesn’t grow. Only in one’s submission to God does one come to the realization that he is spiritually poor. This is beautiful and wonderful because this is where God has wanted him all along.
1Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:1-6)