Read it! post by QuineA Sampling of the Seven BeattitudesHappy is one who is poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)
This first proverb is puzzling. Why would one poor or downcast in spirit be characterized as happy or content? Why is this seemingly discouraging attitude the characteristic of the disciple living in eager expectation of the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven? The solution to this quixotic riddle is found by examining the context of his day and the words Jesus used.
The disciples received their previous religious education from the Pharisees. These teachers clearly taught that through demonstrable righteous deeds entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven could be gained. Naturally, no one was more righteous than the Pharisees. Jesus will shock them and the slowly arriving multitudes when he boldly declares, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (5:20).
The word translated “poor” () was used for the economically destitute. This is significant, for according to the theology of the Pharisees, He whom the Lord loved, He blessed with material wealth. In sharp contrast to their teaching, Jesus affirmed that the Kingdom of heaven was not for the rich, but in some sense, for the poor.
Although Luke’s account does not include the qualifying phrase “in spirit”, Matthew cannot be explained as spiritualizing Christ’s intent. Economic position, whether rich or poor, has no advantage per se for entrance into the kingdom. After noting that this word “poor” is used to translate several Hebrew words in the LXX, Carson suggests that the “poor” are,
Those who because of sustained economic privation and social distress have confidence only in God (e.g., Pss 37:14; 40:17; 69:28-29; 32-33; Prov 16:19 [NIV, “the oppressed”; NASB, “the lowly”]; 29:23; Isa 61:1; cf. Pss Sol 5:2,11; 10:7). Thus it joins with passages affirming God’s favor on the lowly and contrite in spirit (e.g., Isa 57:15; 66:2).
Only since there is no other place to turn that the impoverished have an advantage before God. The poor more easily recognize their total dependence upon Him. Christ’s focus is on this attitude of dependence. Carson concludes,
To be poor in spirit is not to lack courage but to acknowledge spiritual bankruptcy. It confesses one’s unworthiness before God and utter dependence on him.
The attitude recognizing one’s dependence upon God is the significant difference Jesus is identifying. The one who is “poor in spirit” is the one who knows he has nothing to offer God, for he stands before the Lord without anything in his spiritual account. Paul describes our spiritual bankruptcy in Romans 3:10-12 with these words, “There is none righteous, no not one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” With a simple credit check, God quickly discovers that we have nothing to offer Him.
Those who are “poor in spirit” are “blessed” because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It is only those who recognize their spiritual need who have a place in the kingdom. These who recognize that their account is lacking find that God’s account is abundant. The poor in spirit have turned to God, become dependent upon Him, and therefore find happiness. This implies that the opposite is also true—those who do not recognize that their spiritual pockets are empty have no place in His kingdom. The first step in salvation is the recognition of spiritual impoverishment. Not until we see our purses empty, and that we are completely dependent upon God for eternal life, is there opportunity for contentment.
