Poor in Spirit?

SCRIPTURE: “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. Matthew 5:3 AMP

THOUGHT: Methinks we don’t like poverty of any kind, so what does it mean to be poor in spirit?

The three short verses of Psalm 131 flesh out the idea. It is a song of David, sung by regular people on an extraordinary journey, a pilgrimage to renew their faith and friendships as the community of God. I can imagine the excitement, but also the danger, the weariness, the challenge of getting your young children to walk another mile, not get lost, not embarrass you (😊). And once they reach Jerusalem, there will be additional challenges punctuating the joy: the temptation to compare themselves to others, the hucksters and sideshows available in any big city, the lofty religious elite with yet another law to add to their burdens. But – as you may have noticed yourself – singing helps you along the journey, keeping you focused on the goal. And so they sang: My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

The invitation to be poor in spirit is the invitation to keep yourself focused on the pilgrimage rather than the many sideshows that will distract. It is an invitation to be rich in the contentment that flows from a childlike trust of God, right now, despite the challenges.

The goal of our pilgrimage is the kingdom of heaven, and it belongs says Jesus, to the poor in spirit.

PRAYER: I’d like to be able to say to you, Father, that my heart is not proud and my eyes are not haughty; that I don’t concern myself with great matters, but I’m afraid all too often it is not true. Forgive my wayward heart that so often wants to trust me instead of you. Help me find the true contentment of trusting you completely as I take another step toward your kingdom today.