There are those who are Poor, and then there are those who are Poor

Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

In the CPV (Chaplain Parker Version of the Bible) this verse is most easily interpreted, “blessed are those who know they need God.” Some interpreters of the Bible have falsely believed that this verse is telling us that we should sell all of our earthly possessions in order to gain the kingdom of heaven. Now I will admit that it is easier to follow the Lord without the many distractions and temptations that material wealth can bring. But ones financial status or lack thereof does not necessarily mean a healthy spiritual life. Others still have interpreted the verse to mean that we should be “poor spirited”. In other words we should think of ourselves as doormats without a backbone and completely useless. But we know that as those created in the image of God; we are of vast worth and importance and God desires more for His children. An inaccurate interpretation of Scripture can lead to a misapplication of Scripture and wasted time.

In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus gives us a vivid illustration of one “poor in spirit”...

And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' (This is poor in spirit!) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."

Two men in the temple, both men prayed. Whose prayer did God hear? The religious Pharisee? Oh no, because he wasn’t praying, he was giving God his resume! Jesus said that God heard the other man’s prayer because his words came from a man who was "poor in spirit". Then Jesus gave the moral of the story: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled”

One man was rich with pride, the other poor in spirit. One man thought highly of himself, the other felt his shortcomings. One man impressed with his own accomplishments, the other depressed by his sin. One man boasted, the other man begged. One man recommended himself to God, the other man pleaded for God’s mercy. One man was saved, the other lost.

Being “poor in the spirit” is simply a lowly and just estimate of ourselves, our character, and our achievements, based upon a clear recognition of our own necessities, weaknesses, and sins.

Mark 2:17, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

It is no mistake that “poor in spirit” comes first in the list of beatitudes. This is the first and most fundamental quality of the spiritual life. This is where discipleship begins. This is the key that unlocks the door of heaven.

Augustus Toplady beautifully expressed the truth of “poor in spirit” in his classic hymn Rock of Ages:

Nothing in my hand I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, fly to Thee for grace.

Foul, I to the fountain fly.

Wash me, Savior, or I die.