Living as a Biblical Christian: Are You Poor? Part 2 – Luke 6:20

This first verse of the Beatitudes is important because if you are not poor in spirit, then you cannot move onward to the following blessings. Jesus is explaining what the believer should look like and revealing the promises of blessing that come. The first blessing is the kingdom of heaven which means that person converted to, belongs to and covered by Jesus.

At times in life we must reflect on the assurance of our salvation by asking ourselves, “Are we living in the kingdom of God?” From the moment Jesus was born, Jesus was King and He has been conquering hearts of men through His gospel message, however not everyone who claims to be in His kingdom actually is. There’s a warning in Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus says, “I never knew you” because from the beginning they were not poor in spirit, and so Jesus doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Jesus himself was poor. He is the example. Philippians 2:6-7 says though He was God, He gave everything up and became like man. Jesus became poor, became like us and therefore God exalted Him above every name in the kingdom. This is the pattern of our Lord that we too become blessed through the poverty of spirit. Additionally, we are blessed not because we have earned that blessing or achieved it by our strength but because of Jesus’ righteousness imputed onto us.

A blessed man is also described in Psalm 1:1, who is righteous and meditates on God’s word. A blessed sheep shall never want because Jesus is the good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). The Bible is full of blessings to the Christian (Psalm 68:5-6, Psalm 37:25, 2 Corinthians 12:10), some of which might seem illogical, but are still wonderful and powerful. Blessings are not material. Jeff Bezos spent 5 billion dollars to spend 4 minutes in space but he didn’t get any closer to the kingdom of heaven. While Stephen the martyr was able to taste and see heaven while being stoned for preaching Christ (Acts 7:55-56)

Who are the poor in spirit? The poor in spirit don’t have any traits the world admires, such as self will, self confidence, or self righteousness. They don’t seek independence from God but instead depend on Him for everything. They consider themselves nothing and nobody but their identity is found in Christ. The Apostle Peter left everything and became poor. He didn’t leave his wife or family but in his heart, Jesus was second to none (Matthew 19:27). It didn’t mean he hated everything else but in comparison to Jesus they were inferior. The poor see themselves as the sheep instead of as the shepherd. They are children while God is the Father (Mt 6:26).

A. W. Pink explains, “He who is in possession of this poverty of spirit is pronounced blessed: because he now has a disposition that is the very reverse of that which was his by nature; because he possess that first sure evidence that a Divine work of grace has been wrought within him; because he is an heir of the Kingdom of heaven.” What a blessing that comes with being poor in spirit! It is the poor in spirit that taste the sweetness of the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Seven signs of a poor spirit:

1. Separate from self. The separation won’t be 100% but there is the fight. The self is the fleshly carnal nature that is corrupt before God. The self glorifies man. The self is always trying to gain control in your life, making you the center of life. The poor realize they are beggars with nothing to be proud of, with no desire for worldly recognition. Like Jacob confesses in Genesis 47:8-9, though He had great worldly success due to his craftiness, he was pitiful before the eyes of God and man.
2. The poor esteem Jesus most. They consider themselves to be slaves to Christ and cherish His suffering for them (Philippians 3:8-10). Most people only want to share in Jesus’ authority and glorious blessings but while forgoing His humility and suffering. The poor in spirit cherish and display the fruit of the Spirit: love and joy and peace.
3. The poor in spirit are never satisfied with their spiritual progress. Even after writing 13 epistles in the new testament Apostle Paul was not satisfied but kept pressing on (Philippians 3:13-14). He desired more faith. The poor are starving for the spiritual food. Even before we eat breakfast, they desire to be fed by the word of God.
4. The poor are humble. In the parable of the prodigal son, the son tells his father he is unworthy.(Luke 15:21) The father responds with ‘quickly’. God is so gracious to the poor and humble that He blesses without delay. Thomas Watson says “The more grace he has, the more humble he is—because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God.”
5. The poor are in prayer. Like a beggar, we must ask for help continually. We must pray. Prayer is not easy to do. Satan is always hindering our prayer with negativity and doubt. But prayer is always enjoyable to the poor. 2 Thessalonians 5:17 reveals that prayer is as important as breathing or drinking water, something we need constantly. Praying is exercising our spiritual riches. Everyone is busy and everyone has their own cares and excuses not to pray. Please take the time to pray because of our poverty.
6. Christ is their source of life. The truth is that Jesus has made everything and everything you have, He has given it to you. There are so many rich and famous people who don’t have the answers to life. They all die miserably without finding the answer. Augustine wisely said “Without God I am a guide to my own destruction.” Jesus is the bread of life for the poor. (John 6:35).
7. The poor in spirit are always thankful. Without the grace of God, we would have nothing. Everything is in his timing and by his grace. When we realize our sin and how devastating it is, then we are so thankful for His mercy and enjoy His grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). When you are poor and desperate then you are thankful for every meal and every cent.

Yours is the kingdom of God The kingdom of God is the blessing for the poor in spirit. The kingdom of God was very important to Jesus. It was His goal to share as much about the kingdom of God before He ascended (Acts 1:3). The kingdom of God is where Jesus rules over His people. It is not a specific place yet but a people. The kingdom is already here, it is a current reality and it is available to you. Being saved and living in the kingdom of God is a difference of experience. There are miserable Christians who exclude themselves from God’s blessings. It is the poor in spirit who experience the kingdom of God in their daily life. Even while suffering, we know that our King Jesus is with us, we are not alone but comforted and strengthened. He is always with us.

Are you in the kingdom? First, is Jesus your king? Second, do you know your fellow citizens, which is the church? Third, do you view the world as your enemy? There are only two kingdoms and they are at war with each other. Are you at war with the world? Let us be mindful of how we live, whether it is in God’s kingdom or the world’s. Know the kingdom of God is not physical but of the Holy Spirit, full of peace and joy (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of God is powerful, overcoming evil with good and finding strength in our weakness (Romans 12: 21, 1 Corinthians 4:20). Walk with Jesus while considering yourself poor and you will experience the blessing of the kingdom of God.