Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heaven” (Matthew 5:3). What does it mean to be poor in spirit? We have considered he who is poor in spirit is he who recognizes he is in need because he has sinned. We have considered that he who is poor in spirt recognizes that without God, he is nothing. Finally, we will consider that he who is poor in spirit recognizes that with Christ, he needs nothing.
The kingdom—which is the church—is filled with those that are poor in spirit. To be a part of the kingdom of heaven sails above any earthly opportunity. What if you started your own business, you loved what you were doing, and the business was very successful? Would that not be great? Yet, it does not compare to being a part of the kingdom of heaven! What about when you met him, or you met her, and the moment that you knew you were going to be together forever? Was it not one of the most joyous moments of your life? Yet, it does not compare to being a part of the kingdom of heaven! What about when you had that first child, and you held him or her in your arms for the first time. What was that like? Yet, it does not compare to being a part of the kingdom of heaven! The kingdom of heaven is the church that belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). To be in the kingdom, is to be with Christ, and when we are with Christ, we need nothing.
When we are with Christ, we are in Christ, and He is in us. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). We get into Christ through baptism (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:47), and to be with Him, we abide in Him (John 15:4). When we are in Christ, we will seek first His church, and we will lack nothing (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 23:1).
No, being a Christian does not guarantee physical wealth; it does not grant freedom from study, prayer, and obedience; it does not mean freedom from sorrow on earth; it does not mean freedom from physical tragedy. However, it does mean we trust God to provide for us physically (cf. Matthew 6) and, most importantly, spiritually (cf. Ephesians 1:3).
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means to be he who recognizes he is in need because he has sinned. It means to be he who recognizes that without God, he is nothing. It means to be he who recognizes that with Christ, he needs nothing. Are you poor in spirit?
Clifton preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS
