“An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: He heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; But every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. An unjust man is an abomination to the just: And he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”
Proverbs 29:22-27 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.29.22-27.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 ...