To be “poor in spirit” has nothing to do with the lack of material or financial possessions; rather it describes those who have given up everything of this earthly life in their spirits! They have an insatiable appetite for the things of God, knowing that nothing of this earthly realm can give true satisfaction. They count the things of this world as nothing, and focus all attention and energies on God.
It was this kind of spirit that made Paul write, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). He saw all his worldly achievements as rubbish! Nothing was more important to him than coming to a perfect knowledge of Christ. That’s the mindset of one who is “poor in spirit.”
Note that Jesus didn’t say the “Kingdom of God” belongs to the poor in spirit, but rather the “kingdom of heaven.” The Kingdom of God describes God’s boundless domain, which Jesus has brought us into, while the kingdom of heaven refers to the lifestyle and authority Jesus brought to the earth. The kingdom of heaven functions here in the earth and not in heaven. Functioning in that kingdom is what makes us masters over devils, sickness, poverty and every negative circumstance of life! Therefore, the “poor in spirit” will always be masters in this life; they’ll never be victims, for they function in God’s realm, where the supernatural dominates the natural course of nature.
Prayer
Dear Father, I realise that nothing in this world can truly satisfy, thus my heart hungers and thirsts for only you! I ask that you fill my heart today with more of your love, your thoughts, and inspirations of your Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
