“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: And in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. He that deviseth to do evil Shall be called a mischievous person. The thought of foolishness is sin: And the scorner is an abomination to men. If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.”
Proverbs 24:6-10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.24.6-10.KJV
Hope for the Poor in Spirit
Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 ESV
To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.
So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?
Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a ...