Matt. 5:3 Jesus said,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Amplified Bible
translated “Blessed (happy, to be
envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s
favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate
themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!”
(Matt.5:3). [Insignificant=not
important]
**Being poor in spirit does not mean that a man
must be poverty-stricken and financially poor. Hunger, nakedness, and slums are
not pleasing to God, especially in a world of plenty. Christ is not talking about
material poverty. He means what He says: poor in spirit. Being “poor in
spirit” means several things.
**We acknowledge or
understand that we are completely helpless before God and we depend on God to
meet our need. We understand that the real blessings of life and eternity come
only from a right relationship with God. We understand that our attitude toward
others is not proud and not looking down toward others. We understand that we
could show our appreciation to others through our giving to those in great
need.
**The opposite of
being “poor in spirit” is having a
spirit that is full of self. There is
a world of difference between these two spirits. There is the difference
thinking that we are righteous versus
acknowledging that we need the righteousness of Christ. There is the difference
of being self-righteous versus being
given the righteousness of Christ. Self-righteousness goes no farther than
self; that is goes no farther than death. Self dies and everything with self
including our self-righteousness. But the righteousness that is of Christ lives
forever. [**Commentary from The
Preacher’s Sermon & Outline Study]. (Versus=ASL opposite)
Dorothy: What impressed me
that being “poor in spirit” receive
forgiveness of sin and God’s continue to remember His covenant and that is our
assurance in Him (Ps.105:8). “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb.8:12). “And
their sins and iniquities I will remember no more” (Heb.10:17). “He hath
remembered His covenant forever …” (Psalm 105:8).
Jesus said, “Blessed
are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of God belongs to you.” We have nothing
in this world, but we have everything in Jesus. Only Jesus can satisfy so let’s
sing.
Song: Only Jesus
Only Jesus, only
Jesus,
Only He can satisfy;
Every burden becomes
a blessing,
When I know my Lord
is nigh.
Song: Return to the One
Return to the One who
loves you
Return to the Savior
who cares.
He’ll give perfect
peace
Your burden He’ll
bear
Return to the Savior
who cares.
(Inspiring Choruses)
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