Poor in Spirit or Rich in Pride
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven," (Matt. 5:3).
It is important to know that this statement does not confer any particular
blessing on the economically poor! There is the impression that poverty, in and
of itself, is a blessing; and that to be economically poor automatically means
that you are cherished and protected by God, blessed by Him and in good
standing. This misconception causes some to misquote the passage: "Blessed are
the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." That is not what the Lord said,
as written in Matt. 5:3. He spoke this good word to those "poor in spirit." (It
is correct, in Luke 6:20, the reading is "blessed are you poor," and in that
context the Lord speaks condemnation toward the rich. And it is true, Mark 12:37
says that "the common people heard Him gladly." But it was necessary for them to
hear Him and respond to be blessed. And our focus, in Matt. 5:3, must be on a
spiritual quality not an economic condition.)
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit?" It is that fundamental characteristic
of realizing that you are spiritually empty, and that only by depending upon God
can you fill that emptiness. This is about knowing you are spiritually poor,
therefore you know your need.
It may help to think about the opposite of "poor in spirit." The contrast would
be "proud in spirit;" self-sufficient, arrogantly independent. There are
individuals with the attitude that says "I don't need anybody to give me any
direction in life. I can do fine without any moral standard from a divine
source." This is the modern spirit of humanism. In the Glossary of Humanism the
concept of is defined this way: "...a view of life that is centered on man and
his capacity to build a worthwhile life for himself and his fellows here and
now. The emphasis is placed on man's own intellectual and moral resources, and
the nation of supernatural religion is rejected."
Humanism says man doesn't need a Savior; shouldn't rely on the gospel, and
doesn't need any spiritual blessing. This is opposite of "poor in spirit." And
this arrogance and rebellion against God is illustrated by the Babylonian Ruler
described in Isaiah 14 (Isa. 14:12-15). This same perspective is illustrated in
the attitude of those who attempted to build the tower of Babel (see Gen. 11:4).
The prime motive was the glory of man. They were not poor in spirit, but rich in
human pride.
To be poor in spirit is to have the disposition described in Isa. 66:2 -- "But
on this one will I look; on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who
trembles at My Word."
By Warren E Berkley
From Expository Files 7.10; October 2000
