WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE POOR IN SPIRIT?

In Mathew 5:3 we read: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

The spirit is the very core of man; his essence! Viewed this way, one will have to ask: How come that it is the poor in spirit who will inherit the kingdom of heaven? One would have thought that the kingdom of heaven should be for those who have developed their latent spiritual gifts and have become rich in spirit! 

However, we might be able to understand this first sentence of the Beatitudes when we cross reference it with some other scripture. 

First is Isaiah 66:2 which says: “… But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at my word.” 

Second is Matthew 19:14 where we read: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

From the forgoing we can intuitively sense that the words “poor in spirit” refers to those who are simple, pure at heart, childlike, humble and unassuming. These are men who are able to accept the true teachings of Jesus as simply as little children, without pre conceived ideas and an intellectual “wanting to know better” attitude. 

Let us note that Jesus also did not choose His Disciples from the elitist Pharisees and Scribes but He took them from the simple, natural people, because they had no need to struggle against the great misconception that the way to God is difficult. 

Here is the good news: he who bears within himself the firm volition for what is good, and strives to give purity to his thoughts, has already found the way to the Highest! One does not need to lock himself up in solitude, and insist on some austere measures to find the right path. Neither is it necessary to eat grass or otherwise enslave oneself to some religious leader, become a prayer warrior, or fast until one emaciates. 

The “poor in spirit” are the simple. They absorb the Truth with a pure heart as children in an unassuming and humble manner. They are the ones who have the promise of Jesus: theirs is the kingdom of heaven!