Rich in Christ
A teaching on the Poor in Spirit from Matthew 5:3
The beatitudes are like a narrow stairway of Spiritual growth. Each step leads to the next and as a whole, they describe the process by which a person is taken from conversion to spiritual maturity. (Sometimes we call that process ‘sanctification.’)
The first step is fairly near to the ground and is foundational for all other area of spiritual growth. That first step is to be “Poor in Spirit.” It is the spiritual baby step that has to happen before the giant steps of spiritual growth can begin. I say it’s a “baby” step and, spiritually speaking, it is the smallest of steps. Naturally speaking, it is a giant leap to go from “unbeliever” to “follower of Christ”. It is a process that must destroy our pride.
Realizing Our Spiritual Deficiencies is the First Step in Our Spiritual Growth – Matt. 7:14
The kingdom belongs to those who have nothing to boast of in themselves, but draw all their value from Jesus. He would have it no other way. This first step is the very foundation that all other areas of spiritual growth are built upon.
- According to the verse, who are “poor in spirit” possess the “kingdom of heaven.” Without being “poor in spirit,” we are not on the stairway at all…the kingdom of heaven is not ours. Without a realization of this first beatitude in the life of a person, there can be no real assurance that they are really saved.
- Becoming “poor in spirit” is the very first thing that must happen in a person’s life before they are a part of the Kingdom of God. A person who is spiritually poor is an heir of the “kingdom of heaven” even when all the other beatitudes are still in process.
No one enters the kingdom based on their own accomplishments. The kingdom staircase is narrow. Big heads and over-inflated egos simply won’t fit through the entryway or between the walls!
Only a person who empties themself of self-congratulatory pride will be able to begin the narrow way of salvation. Jesus once said (Matt 7:14), “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” A person can begin this journey only when they come to Jesus with nothing to boast about. Just like it would be hard to add coffee to a cup already full of cement, in essence, this beatitude is saying, “You can’t be filled unless you are first empty.”
In modern Christianity, the concept of being “poor in spirit” is rarely spoken of, so it may be new for some. There is a trend in our country called “easy-believism.” In this trend, all the emphasis is put on joy and being filled with the Spirit and living a wonderful life.
Many teach (or imply) that salvation is gained by saying a certain prayer, signing a paper, joining a church, or participating in a ceremony. Plenty of people have done those things and still are not “poor in spirit.” Many forget to mention that the process of justification begins with spiritual poverty.
Admittedly, a teaching titled “How to become spiritually bankrupt” would probably not draw huge crowds these days. The “Kingdom of heaven” belongs to those who are “poor in spirit” and that involves laying down our pride and admitting that we are in utter need of the spiritual resources that only Jesus can provide.
In spite of how scarcely it is taught, the poverty of Spirit is foundational and the first step we must take before we’ll know any of the Lord’s other graces. Christian character and virtue grow in the fertile soil of humility. In fact, without a great deal of humility we’d never be able to see our need for Jesus in the first place. Until we are humbly “poor in spirit,” Christ will never be truly precious to us.
- We can’t see Jesus if we are totally impressed by and consumed with ourselves.
- We can never appreciate how precious Jesus is until we understand how utterly condemned we are without Him.
- We can never see His riches until we are able to understand our spiritual poverty.
So what kind of poverty is Jesus talking about in this passage, anyway? Let’s take a minute to understand what exactly Jesus means by “poor in spirit.”
“Poor in Spirit” is not Referring to Material Wealth – Psalm 37:25, Matt. 8:20
Over the centuries, some people have read this verse, sold everything they owned and lived in utter poverty so they could be more spiritual. Is that what Jesus had in mind? I don’t think so!
Ridding ourselves of material wealth could not possibly be what Jesus is referring to here. Think about all the times when Jesus encourages us to give money to the poor and needy. If being “poor in spirit” meant to live in material poverty, then He would never tell us to help people get out of poverty. Instead, He would be telling us to imitate those in need. Being in physical poverty would be ideal. In fact, if we were to help a poor person, it would be a great spiritual disservice to them if Jesus was talking about material wealth.
But… He is not talking about material poverty in this passage. (And yes, we should absolutely help the poor.) In fact, we see throughout scripture many examples of godly people who did not live in poverty.
- King David was not poor and he said in Psalms 37:25, that he had “…not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
- The Apostle Paul was hungry and in need on several occasions, but we never see him in a position of being a beggar.
- The Lord Jesus also never begged for food. On one hand he said in Matthew 8:20 that the “Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Yet on the other hand, the disciples seem to have had enough income to give some money to the poor.
- Jesus and his followers were accused of a lot of things. They were called mad, ignorant revolutionaries. However, they were never accused of begging.
So what kind of poverty of Jesus referring to then? Jesus is talking about spiritual poverty…
Being “Poor in Spirit” Means Having no Spiritual resource in Yourself – Rev. 3:14-18
In Matthew 5, the Greek word for “poor” is the word ‘ptōchos’ (toe-hass). It is a word that does not just mean “poor” but “begging poor.” It signifies utter poverty. It speaks of a person who is completely unable to provide anything for themselves.
There is another word for poor in the Greek that is not used here. That word is penace. It is a person who is “working poor.” They don’t have any extra, but they are working paycheck to paycheck and barely getting by. It is significant that Jesus did not use the word “penace” in this case. The “poor in spirit” are not those who can do just enough good works to make God happy. No, the ‘poor in spirit’ are those who realize they have no spiritual resources in themselves at all.
People who are “Poor in Spirit” see the standard that God’s Law demands and they realize that they have absolutely nothing in themselves to attain God’s approval. The poverty of spirit is the realization of desperate spiritual need. Without Christ, they are empty, poor and helpless.
The “Poor in Spirit” know that they cannot take any ground or make any stride towards salvation by effort and good works. The spiritually poor are absolutely dependent on God’s grace.
It is worthwhile to point out that the gospel reaches down and picks up at the exact spot where the law leaves us utterly broken. The best the law can ever do is to show us exactly how far we are from being able to save ourselves. The greatest service the Law provides is to reduce the value of self-righteousness to nothing and show each person their overwhelming indebtedness to God. Once we see our helpless state before the Lord, the Law leaves us helpless, poor and miserable. The law doesn’t save; Jesus SAVES!
We live in a world that tells us to assert ourselves and be proud of all we can accomplish. It encourages us to find our way into the spotlight. Our flesh and our ego assist every step on the way to self-promotion. However, God is giving us a very different message here. He says that when you and I admit our spiritual nothingness, that’s where spiritual life begins.
It is the hard lesson that needed to be learned by the church in Laodicea. Let me tell you a little about this ancient city.
Laodicea was a very prosperous town in the ancient area of Asia minor (modern-day Turkey). It sat at the intersection of a couple major roadways and controlled trade on the river that flowed through it. Its prominent position made it one of the wealthiest commercial centers in the ancient world. Even from the ruins, you can see that they spared no expense in building this city.
Laodicea had a fairly large Jewish population. Some estimated that around 7,500 adult Jewish men lived in the area. They were often in conflict with the Roman authorities, complaining about regulations that restricted the free exercise of Jewish customs and ceremonies. These Jews were very religious, but most were not “poor in spirit.” They were depending on their works for salvation. The Christian church was probably following in the steps of their Jewish counterparts and assumed that Christian religious ceremonies and moralism were now the ticket to salvation.
At one point in its history, an earthquake severely damaged Laodicea. The neighboring cities of Sardis and Philadelphia were destroyed. The people in Laodicea were so wealthy and so proud that they refused to accept any help from Rome. They gladly used their own resources to rebuild their city. One Roman historian (Tacitus), said “Laodicea rose from ruin by the strength of her own resources and with no help from us.”
Against this cultural backdrop we have the verses written by John in Revelation 3:14. In these verses, John is speaking directly for Jesus.
“14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Christ came down hard on Laodicea because the people there thought their morality and religious ceremonies where adequate for winning God’s approval. They were not passionately pursuing Jesus nor did they realize their true need for a Savior. They were religious and probably largely unsaved because they were not yet “poor in spirit.”
In the area surrounding Laodicea, there were mineral springs that were tepid, or lukewarm. The water in these springs tastes terrible and causes nausea. Jesus was likely using the springs as an object lesson to communicate how He feels about their ceremonial, moralistic Christianity. Their lukewarm morality was enough to make Him gag!
A lukewarm Christian is a contradiction in terms. Either a person is for Christ or against Him. There is halfway point. Jesus, through John, is communicating that even though they think everything is ok, everything is not right between them and God. Look at verse 17…
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
The Laodiceans were so wealthy that they could not see that they needed help from God. They were inclined to work their way into God’s favor. Their culture believed that they could work for and buy anything – including salvation if needed. Jesus was telling them that in spite of their great material wealth and possessions, they were poverty-stricken in the things that really mattered. They were spiritually bankrupt and didn’t even know it!
The Laodiceans were known for producing a special dark wool derived from black sheep. It was a significant source of revenue for them. Jesus was likely using their profitable industry as another object lesson when he said in verse 18a, “18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself.”
The Laodiceans took great pride in the black clothes they exported all over the world, but their souls were naked. Jesus was telling them, “Your soul doesn’t need your man made black wool, but instead, your soul needs to be clothed in the white garments of My righteousness.”
The Laodiceans were also world famous for a certain eye powder that they produced. This powder was thought to be a remedy for weak or ailing eyes. Once again, Jesus seems to be using it as an object lesson when He says at the end of verse 18 to buy from Him, “salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” They were famous for their medicine to treat physical blindness while they remained completely unaware of their spiritual blindness.
Laodicea sounds just like us! Like Americans, the Laodiceans put their trust in material property, outward luxury and physical health. They fully relied on the things of this world to build a lasting kingdom.
Just like Americans today, they figured if they worked hard to give people better housing, more profitable employment and good medical care that a golden age would dawn. Heaven would come to earth and we would all be right before God
There is nothing wrong with housing, jobs or medicine. Don’t get me wrong. These are all good things that God gives to people as tools to steward in this present age. However, the realities of the material world we live in are not what matters ultimately.
Men who possess wealth without possessing the eternal, life changing presence of the Spirit are destitute beyond measure, no matter how many zeros are in their bank account. The church at Laodicea was being warned not to put their hope in material things while ignoring spiritual realities.
So how do we keep from falling into the same trap as the Laodiceans? How do we begin relying on Jesus for eternity?
Application: Ask for the Spirit’s Help – Luke 18:9-14, Romans 8:33
In Luke 18:9-14, there is a parable for all people who trust in themselves and their good behavior to get them to heaven instead of putting their trust in Jesus and His perfect, imputed righteousness. In this parable, Jesus compares two figures:
- a Pharisee (who was considered the ultimate law-abiding citizen)
- a tax-collector (who was considered the most wicked person imaginable).
Do you want to be poor in spirit? Let’s look at how the Pharisee failed and the tax collector began ‘a better pursuit’ leading to the “kingdom of heaven”:
“9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The tax collector was a man who was probably quite wealthy, but he realized that he was spiritually bankrupt. Tax collectors were considered to be in the same social category as harlots and drunks.
The tax-collector put himself far away from the center of attention that day at the Temple, staying toward the edge of the temple grounds. He was fully aware that he had no right to be there. He knew that he was unworthy of being in the presence of other worshippers let alone in the presence of God. He was an outsider, and outcast and an exile. He was “poor in spirit.”
Overwhelmed with shame and disgrace, he humbly confessed his guilt before the Lord. He made no attempt to justify himself. He was fully aware that nothing in him merited God’s favor. Every part of his physical demeanor expressed his shame, sadness, and remorse over his sins.
Praying with his eyes down and hands over his chest was a posture of humility. As he prayed, his hands became fists that pounded his chest. It was clearly a sign of extreme anguish. This man was openly mourning the evil he had treasured up in his own heart. When he realized his depravity, he simply asked God for a change in heart.
In verse 13 he prays like this, “‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” That prayer is short and to the point. This man is fully aware of his great need for God’s grace. He was not under any allusion that he might be able to work his way to heaven. He knew that pleading for salvation and receiving it as a free gift from God was his only hope.
So, he offered a genuine plea for God’s mercy… and God gave it to him! Jesus said in verse 14, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.” Our text today says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” To them belongs ‘justification.’
Jesus’ message was simple:
- All who attempt to win God’s favor based on a righteousness of their own are going to fail and condemn themselves in the process.
- All who seek God’s grace and clothe themselves with Christ’s righteousness are saved through their faith and by God’s grace alone. These are the “poor in spirit.”
God alone is the one who justifies the person who puts their faith in Jesus. That’s why Paul says in Romans 8:33, “ 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” When God justifies a person, he grants that person no common reward, but theirs is the “Kingdom of Heaven.”
The Result: The Owners of Nothing Become Heirs of Everything – Matt 13:43
Back to Matthew 5:3, it says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The tax collector in the parable made a sincere acknowledgement of spiritual poverty when he simply cried out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
Had the tax collector been a real person, God would have granted to that him access to a new spiritual kingdom far more valuable than all the riches ever to be obtained in this world. The “poor in spirit” know they are owners of nothing but inheritors of everything!
Millionaires sink into insignificance. (Ever heard of Alan Rufus, Musa I of Mali, Basil II, or John Jacob Astor? All were millionaires who have been largely forgotten.) National treasures are often stolen, lost, or redistributed. However, the poor in spirit inherit a boundless, endless, faultless kingdom that renders them the eternal blessing of God. God, over and over again for all of eternity, blesses them so that every hunger and thirst for righteousness is forever filled.
They are so blessed that it says in Matthew 13:43, “…the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…” In the “poor in spirit,” the promise of Revelation 3:21 will be fulfilled that says, “21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
[1] Matt 21:31-32
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