Matt.5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What does this phrase “poor in spirit” even mean? Let’s start with what it is not, it is not talking about living in the slums with no way of supporting yourself, that kind of poverty is a curse and not a blessing. It is actually describing the heart of one who has placed their trust in Christ alone. These are the salt of the earth, those that look to the Lord in all things for their provision knowing they are in constant need of the Lord’s help in all things. This marks the Lord’s followers, they are not proud trusting in themselves but they are the blessed ones trusting in the Lord. Here is how Barclay describes this.
“If people have realized their own utter helplessness, and have put their whole trust in God, there will enter into their lives two elements which are opposite sides of the same coin. They will become completely detached from material things, for they will know that things do not have the power to bring happiness or security; and they will become completely attached to God, for they will know that God alone can bring them help, hope and strength. Those who are poor in spirit are men and women who have realized that things mean nothing, and that God means everything.
We must be careful not to think that this beatitude calls actual material poverty a good thing. Poverty is not a good thing. Jesus would never have called blessed a state where people live in slums and do not have enough to eat, and where health deteriorates because conditions are all against it. It is the aim of the Christian gospel to remove that kind of poverty. The poverty which is blessed is the poverty of spirit, when people realize their own utter lack of resources to meet life, and find their help and strength in God.”
Those who are the salt of the earth have a whole different value system than anyone else, their blessedness comes from the Lord. The Lord brings favor upon all of our actions so that God is glorified and we are satisfied. Our satisfaction comes from knowing Him, not our accomplishments. Our accomplishments are fruit that bring glory to God. This characteristic called poor in spirit clearly marks us as belonging to the Lord, we are the salt of the earth.
