“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3

A few years ago, I had the privilege of sitting in the Business Lounge at the Istanbul International Airport in Turkey, as I waited for my flight back to Uganda.

A conversation ensued with an American businessman and in due course, the subject of religion came up, inevitably.

Without even batting an eye, the gentleman assured me to my face that he didn’t think religion was relevant to him.

“Frankly, I don’t think I need anything from God,” he said.

It was my first time to hear someone say such a thing.

But instead of being surprised, I felt great sympathy for the man, so much that I couldn’t even envy him for his immense wealth.

In our meditation today, Jesus teaches that those who are poor in spirit are blessed.

Some people have misinterpreted this to say that it’s the ‘poor’ who are blessed.

However, Jesus said “the poor in spirit.”

That means one can be poor in material things and also be a stranger in the kingdom of God.

The reverse is also true – there’re people who are exceedingly wealthy while also remaining devout Christians for life.

I looked up the above verse in some easier versions of the Bible.

One version says; “God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!”

Another says; “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”

The ‘poor’ are typically needy people; they are dependent on the beneficence of others.

In Ugandan parlance, they are the people who keep crying; “We request the Government to help us.”

The term “poor in spirit” implies recognizing one’s spiritual poverty or destitution, an awareness of one’s own spiritual neediness and dependence on God. 

The ‘poor in spirit’ acknowledge their lack of spiritual resources and their need for God’s grace and mercy.

Consequently, spiritual poverty is a prerequisite for receiving the blessings of God’s kingdom.

Acknowledging one’s spiritual need is the first step towards experiencing the fullness of God’s sovereignty.

Do we on a daily basis recognize our limitations and inadequacy and thus the need for divine assistance or we are self-sufficient?

Are we humble enough to acknowledge our spiritual poverty and the need to seek God’s help?

In Revelation 3:14-18, our Lord Jesus had a stinging rebuke to the Church in Laodicea for saying, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need anything” and didn’t “realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

‘Our Lord Jesus showed us that ‘spiritual poverty’ is not merely a mental concept but something that should be demonstrated on a daily basis through behaviors, attitudes, and practices.

By teaching His disciples to pray, “Give this day our daily bread,” our Lord Jesus was showing that ‘spiritual poverty’ is not merely a mental concept but something that should be demonstrated on a daily basis through behaviors, attitudes, and practices.

Firstly, accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour and then set aside dedicated time each day for prayer and spiritual reflection.

Let prayer and fellowship with others be an indispensable part of your daily and weekly routine.

Secondly, cultivate a culture of gratitude, not only to God but to others also.

Normalise asking for help from others, seek advice and consult others for spiritual guidance or counseling.

Thirdly, dedicate your life to the service of others.

Serving, giving and sharing are central to demonstrating spiritual poverty, as they reflect a focus on others rather than self.

Avoid excessive emotional attachment to material possessions.

Reduce excessive consumption; avoid unnecessary debt; instead, focus on necessities rather than a luxurious lifestyle.

But most importantly, showing a need for a Saviour – our Jesus Christ – is what opens the door for one to enter into God’s kingdom.