Poor In Spirit

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

I had always heard poverty of spirit related to bankruptcy. I think that is an accurate comparison, but a few years ago I heard a sermon by Tim Keller that helped me understand the term “poor in spirit” in a new way.

In the sermon, he told a story about a minister who had spent a summer in an inner city church. The minister met a fourteen year old girl who became a Christian. When the summer ended, the minister had to leave. The young lady approached him and begged him not to leave. She told him there was a gang that forced young ladies in her neighborhood into a prostitution ring for wealthy white business men. The minister encouraged her to refuse the gang and stand strong in her new faith. He left.

Months later, he returned to the church and asked about the girl. He was told she left the church and joined the prostitution ring. He found her and asked her why she gave in. She told him the gang threatened to beat her father. She refused, and they beat him. They threatened to beat her brother. She refused, and they beat him. The gang then threatened to rape her mother. She gave in. The minister asked the young girl why she didn’t go to the police. She responded, “Who do you think they are?”

Most of us, as middle class Americans, cannot relate to that type of poverty. There is a poverty far beyond bankruptcy. There is a level of poverty that not only has nothing, but is incapable of getting anything. There are people who are not protected by society because society has basically decided they aren’t worth protecting. The contributors get protection. (For the record, I do not believe all cops do this sort of thing)

Being poor in spirit is not only admitting we have nothing. It isn’t mere bankruptcy. It is an admission that we have nothing in ourselves that can contribute to our protection. We have nothing and we can’t get anything. Our only hope for protection is a savior.

In his mercy, Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) with poverty of spirit. Before he lays out moral truths like hate is the equivalent to murder and lust is equal to adultery, he tells us that our only hope is to admit we can’t measure up. When we truly admit our poverty, we are free to see the beauty of God’s law and commands without the fear that has to come if the commands are taken seriously.

For the believer, Jesus freely gives all of his obedience and righteousness to the one who admits his complete poverty. On the cross he took all of the disobedience and unrighteousness of his people. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died.

Jesus, the rich, heavenly king, left his throne and became poor, so his poor love could become his rich bride. Through his death, his bride is united to him and shares in all of his wealth. The bride inherits the kingdom of her husband.

Come to him today. Admit your poverty. Admit your desperation. Look to the king. Give him your rags and let him clothe you in his righteousness.

Here is a link to the sermon where I heard the story. Blessed Are the Poor