POOR IN SPIRIT

During forty-five years in ministry, hundreds of thousands of miles travelled, and more than sixty countries visited, I have met some interesting people along the way. A few of those I would consider “giants of the faith” because of their worldwide fame; others are “giants” in the region where they live and minister. The vast majority of the people I met, however, are not well-known at all. Many are true heroes of the kingdom, men and women who faithfully and quietly labor because the Lord has given them an assignment.

I have noticed one quality in all those who have enduring ministries. Each, whether well-known or unknown, is a person who does not take himself too seriously. He (she) has adopted an attitude of humility and complete dependence on Him.

I am currently reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer entitled, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Bonhoeffer came from an aristocratic German family where great emphasis was put on education and intellect and he received his doctorate in theology at age 21. Rather than becoming a university professor, Bonhoeffer felt called into pastoral ministry. Underneath the intellectual prowess and verbal skill as a public speaker, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a humble man.

Few men have impacted the modern church more than Dietrich Bonhoeffer and few have paid the price for his faith that he did. In this post we are going to take a brief look at just one very important part of the life-changing elements in the Sermon on the Mount. Bonhoeffer has stated that the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) became central to his life and theology—that it changed his life.

The Sermon, as I call it, is one of the best-known “teachings” of Jesus Christ. The opening portion of the Sermon in Matthew 5:3-11 is popularly called “The Beatitudes.”

The first of the Beatitudes is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Oswald Chambers declares that not only is Matthew 5:3 the first of the Beatitudes and the opening to the Sermon, but it is also the bedrock principle for all who come into Christ’s kingdom.

We must have a clear understanding of two important words in this verse. The first, “blessed,” is a grace word, meaning that it is tightly entwined with our understanding of grace. The use of the word in the Beatitudes speaks of God’s favor, His joy freely given to the person being described in the verse.

The second word, “poor,” as in being “poor in spirit,” does not mean to lack courage or to have a weak spirit but is to acknowledge spiritual poverty. The word expresses one’s unworthiness before God and utter dependence on Him. The word speaks of honesty, humility, contriteness. It is best to remember that although we have been invited to come boldly into His presence, we do so because He allows us to, not because of our own merit!

If I could paraphrase Matthew 5:3 I would say it this way: “The blessing and favor of God rests upon those who humbly acknowledge their spiritual poverty. Through their humility they continually express their total dependence on God and because of that, they will enjoy the fruit of the kingdom of heaven here and now!”

I do not relate well to the arrogance and strutting of some of the “Christian celebrities” on television. It can be confusing at times. They talk about all the things they are doing, how well they are doing, and the thought may creep in, “Well, I guess that’s the blessing of the Lord!” (And, honestly, isn’t that somewhat implied?) I know what it is like to have those kinds of thoughts, as I have tried to understand reservations in my spirit about these people.

Many of these “celebrities” have no anointing at all! What they are doing is operating in their natural talents and, admittedly, some of them are very gifted speakers and motivators. The naïveté of the American church assumes that excellent and persuasive preaching equals “the anointing”—and it does not!

God’s Word is very clear on three things about pride and humility:

1. God sets Himself against pride and the embracing of it. 1 Peter 5:5: “God resists the proud.”

2. The favor of God rests on the humble. 1 Peter 5:5: “[God] gives grace [favor] to the humble.”

3. God’s presence is with the humble and contrite. Isaiah 57:15: “I [God] dwell . . . with him who has a contrite and humble spirit.”

I know that some will be highly irritated at the message of this post. They will read the article and say things like, “David’s losing it, he’s regressing!” and they are probably right! I am regressing. I am trying my best to move away from a posture of arrogance and pride to a place of honest humility and contriteness. I would rather be unknown and have His presence in my life than be well-known and devoid of God’s presence after having pushed myself forward. I am trying hard (and not always successfully) to learn and apply what John the Baptist meant when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”