In our culture, no one wants to be classified as poor in anything. However, in Matthew chapter 5 Jesus uses the term “poor in spirit” as a prerequisite to gaining heaven as their eternal home. This is the chapter known to Christians as the “beatitudes.” Each attitude starts with the word “blessed.” Some interpret the word blessed as happy, but it is much more than the emotional feeling that we have when we say we are happy. It means to be fully satisfied. Complete or content, not necessarily with the circumstances we are in here, but with a view of eternity. Where we will fully realize the blessings that God has for us. Poor in spirit is to recognize that apart from the grace of God we are spiritually bankrupt. On our own, we have no righteousness that would merit gaining entrance to heaven or standing in the presence of God Almighty. He is perfect and we are not.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
One of the best examples of this is in Luke 18:9-14. Here we have a parable from Jesus about two men. One was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were very prominent religious leaders. They were pious and immensely proud. The opposite of the Pharisee was the publican. They were tax collectors who were known for gathering more taxes than what the official bill would be. Whatever they collected above the bill they kept for themselves. They were usually people of bad character and hated by the Jews. These people were not to be trusted.
In the parable, the Pharisee stands very proudly and prays where he can be seen, and all would hear his words. He thanks God that he is not like other men who were extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even publicans. He proceeds to name all the things he does that make him a good person as if God should be impressed with his behavior.
Then we have the publican, the one no one wanted to be associated with. The publican stood away from everyone else. He was in a position of submission and did not feel worthy to life his eyes and look to heaven. He smote his breast. This was an expression of grief and anguish because of his sins. In view of his sins, he begged God to be merciful to him. This is the opposite attitude of the Pharisee. The publican was poor in spirit. He did not think he was worthy to be in the presence of God. He knew he needed mercy.
Jesus tells his audience that the publican was justified, but the Pharisee was not. It must have infuriated the Pharisees when Jesus said that those who exalt themselves shall be abased and those that are humble will be exalted. If the Pharisee had been as good as he thought, he would have known that God hated pride. In the Old Testament, which the Pharisees had, and should have known, there were several references to how God detests pride. In Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” In Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Luke 18:9-14 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you; this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbled himself shall be exalted.”
While we read this and think about how far the Pharisees missed the mark of God’s standard, let us take a long look at ourselves. How do you view yourself as a Christian? Do you think you are above others that are different than you? Are you satisfied with your walk with God? Do you check the boxes of Christianity such as church attendance, bible study, and prayer and go on your merry way as if there is no need for change, or do you see yourself as the publican saw himself? It is always good to evaluate our lives in view of God’s word. Are you fully satisfied with God and understand that in light of eternity He is all you need?
