READ: ISAIAH 57:13-18
Anyone can be poor
financially, materially, intellectually or ideologically. One area particularly
profound in the Christian faith is experiencing spiritual poverty. Spiritual
poverty to the Christian is two-pronged. One side is positive while the other
is negative. Every Christian will experience one of them. Each comes with
different effects.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:13). The above passage introduces positive spiritual poverty. This involves being poor in spirit. To be poor in spirit is different from negative spiritual poverty. Let us consider the characteristics of positive spiritual poverty. The one who is poor in spirit is blessed, favoured and to be envied. He is humble. He assesses himself based on God’s word. No matter his status or position in society, he holds a conservative estimation of himself, his abilities and accomplishments.
The one who is poor in spirit cannot habour sin. If he tells a little lie, you would think he had just murdered someone. He will be restless until he runs to the Cross and obtains God’s forgiveness. Whenever he comes to pray to God, you would think he is so poor, neglected, financially impoverished, unknown and powerless. Hence the poor in spirit rides on God’s strength, lives on God’s resources and wins by having God fight his battles. God is ever near those who are poor in spirit. They enter God’s presence empty and leave full.
Those who are poor in spirit never believe they have anything or have accomplished anything. This disposition therefore propels them to ask God for more anointing, wisdom and blessings. It also propels them for more work. Like Apostle Paul and the church in Thyatira, who were not satisfied with past accomplishments, they strive harder to excel in quality and quantity of works every passing day (Revelation 2:18-19).
Paul excelled other Apostles in knowledge of God and service. Yet because he was poor in spirit, he saw himself as one who has not accomplished. He made the knowledge of Christ his main goal in life (Philippians 3:8-14). What have you achieved? Are you poor in spirit?
“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:13). The above passage introduces positive spiritual poverty. This involves being poor in spirit. To be poor in spirit is different from negative spiritual poverty. Let us consider the characteristics of positive spiritual poverty. The one who is poor in spirit is blessed, favoured and to be envied. He is humble. He assesses himself based on God’s word. No matter his status or position in society, he holds a conservative estimation of himself, his abilities and accomplishments.
The one who is poor in spirit cannot habour sin. If he tells a little lie, you would think he had just murdered someone. He will be restless until he runs to the Cross and obtains God’s forgiveness. Whenever he comes to pray to God, you would think he is so poor, neglected, financially impoverished, unknown and powerless. Hence the poor in spirit rides on God’s strength, lives on God’s resources and wins by having God fight his battles. God is ever near those who are poor in spirit. They enter God’s presence empty and leave full.
Those who are poor in spirit never believe they have anything or have accomplished anything. This disposition therefore propels them to ask God for more anointing, wisdom and blessings. It also propels them for more work. Like Apostle Paul and the church in Thyatira, who were not satisfied with past accomplishments, they strive harder to excel in quality and quantity of works every passing day (Revelation 2:18-19).
Paul excelled other Apostles in knowledge of God and service. Yet because he was poor in spirit, he saw himself as one who has not accomplished. He made the knowledge of Christ his main goal in life (Philippians 3:8-14). What have you achieved? Are you poor in spirit?
MEMORIZE:
ISAIAH 66:2b –…. but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a
contrite spirit, and trembles at My word.
