Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, ESV)
Each Sunday we will post the verse of the week. The purpose of this verse is to put it to memory. Write it down. Put it in a place you will see it regularly. Reflect on the verse and its meaning. How can you apply this verse to your life each day?
We are starting with the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. We will take one Beatitude a week for the next ten weeks. By the end of that week you will have the beginning of this sermon memorized.
Nina says
What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
Tracy Gleckler says
I believe it means thay you are aware of your dependence on Gods Holy Spirit and only with the Holy Spirit working in and through us are we truly able to live as JESUS did. When we recognize humbly that we are nothing without Him then we are blessed
Tracy in Sea Cliff NY
ishamisha says
God Bless You, Tracy. I grew up in Glenwood Landing.
Jennifer says
I had the exact same question. 🙂
Phil Ressler says
Hi Nina- thank you for the question. I would encourage you to continue to ponder on that question and think about what it means. The Holy Spirit gives us insight as we meditate on the Word.
For me what it means to be poor in spirit is that I realize that money can’t buy me happiness. Some of the richest people are the most poor spiritually.
It means that my prayers and church attendance can’t buy me a ticket to heaven. Some of the most religious people are the most poor spiritually.
It is when I come to the end of myself and realize that I can’t find lasting fulfillment within myself. It is only through a relationship with Jesus that I find the ultimate fulfillment. But many of us we need to become broke (spiritually speaking) before we ask God for help.
As a pastor, I find that a lot of people don’t ask for help until their life is in shambles. It is often pride that keeps us from doing so. We try to fix our problems on our own. We end up getting more of the same. The people who are blessed are the ones who recognize that they don’t have all the resources they need. They are willing to ask for help and receive help.
dominique bovard says
What do you think if a christian ( like myself) feel poor in spirit, goes to God in prayer, but also seek help from a psychiatrist, because he feels very unhappy at his work place, and feels he needs to do another job, but feels guilty about giving up, and also is worried about making the wrong choice
Phil Ressler says
Hi Dominique- thanks for the question. When we come to our end, we find our beginning in Jesus. This is as true for Christians as it is for anyone else. I would ask if you have sought the counsel of a Pastor or other mature Christian? A psychiatrist is appropriate in certain occasions, but their insight comes from a worldly perspective rather than God’s perspective. An important part of prayer is not only talking to God but listening for his reply. The listening comes through receiving counsel from other godly people who are living a godly life. It comes through reading and meditating on the Scriptures. Seek him where he is found!