Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being poor is not a good thing in a capitalistic society. Capitalism has created an economic system that is based on the haves and the have nots. The poor are looked upon as less than human at times. They are destined as being responsible for their poverty. Poor people in the time of Christ were no different.

They were looked upon as the off scouring of the earth. Poor people generally made their money as beggars. (Mark 10:46-52; Acts 3:1-10) If you were to get sick or disabled, you would most likely end up as a roadside beggar. People didn’t have the benefit of the long-term care facilities such as we have today. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, teaches that being poor is a state of blessedness. His disciples must have thought His words to be insane.

Yet, the type of poverty Jesus is describing is that of the spirit. The simplest way to look at the use of this word poor is to see it as a metaphor describing the helplessness and susceptibility of a person who has seen his weakness and relies on the Lord for his strength. This case of poverty is a blessing making us fit to receive the blessing of the Lord in its fullness. We can not expect to receive the mighty blessings of God when we have a proud self- serving heart. (James 1:1-8)

Jesus’ words concerning heaven are interesting, saying “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

A spirit that is poor is hungry for God’s presence. A person who is poor wants the Lord to be his covering. A person who is poor in spirit is thirsty. A person who is poor in spirit will, according to Jesus, inherit heaven.

Word for Today
Scouring – to clean or scrub

Quote for Today
Better is a poor man who would share a piece of bread than to be a rich who won’t take the offer.

- raj