what does "poor in spirit" mean? if you are poor why are you blessed.? this beautitide is confusing why would I want to be b poor? and why do poor people want more and we want to give them more. and then they will not be blessed?
5:3 Happy are the POOR - In the following discourse there is, A sweet invitation to true holiness and happiness, ver. 3 - 12. Matt 5:3-12. A persuasive to impart it to others, ver. 13 - 16. Matt 5:13-16. A description of true Christian holiness, ver. 17; chap.v7:12, Matt 5:17; Matt 7:12. (in which it is easy to observe, the latter part exactly answers the former.) The conclusion: giving a sure mark of the true way, warning against false prophets, exhorting to follow after holiness.
The POOR in spirit - They who are unfeignedly penitent, they who are truly convinced of sin; who see and feel the state they are in by nature, being deeply sensible of their sinfulness, guiltiness, helplessness. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven - The present inward kingdom: righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, as well as the eternal kingdom, if they endure to the end. Luke 6:20.
People's Bible Notes for Matthew 5:3
Mt 5:3 Blessed. There follows nine beatitudes, each of which pronounces a blessing upon those who have certain characteristics. The word "blessed" is first applied to God, and means more than "happy", as it has sometimes been translated. Happiness comes from earthly things; blessedness comes from God. It is not bestowed arbitrarily; a reason follows each beatitude. The POOR in spirit. The humble, in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit. Is the kingdom of heaven. Such shall become members of the kingdom that Christ will establish. The Jews rejected from this kingdom; on account of their spiritual pride.
Nancy, that's a fair question. There are a couple of references to this:
a. Matthew 5:3. "poor in spirit". This refers to the condition of the heart rather than to not having wealth. It means to be humble, having a proper humble (not debasing) opinion of oneself. These folk have a 'spirit' that will be more attune to the Kingdom of God, recognizing that they are nothing before God & have nothing to present to God to try & elevate themselves. Unlike the 'rich in spirit' who are the opposite, trusting in themselves, their accomplishments, authority or power. These don't have the characteristics that would bring them close to God, trusting in themselves rather than God. These things (the Beatitudes) Jesus spoke to His disciples, as also in:
b. Luke 6:20. "Blessed be ye poor". Again speaking to His disciples, this word from Luke gives the sense that the disciples were ordinary folk, having left all to follow their Master. Some were already 'financially' poor as the fishermen, others like Matthew the publican may have had wealth. Whatever their financial state, the criteria for discipleship was leaving all worldly goods behind & learning from their Master. To have wealth & thus being blessed by God as the people were taught, usually meant that that would interfere with their singular focus on the objective: one 'cannot serve two masters', Jesus said. So Luke seems to imply that both poverty as well as mental humility are required for truly hearing & accepting Christ's message: that worldly possessions should not get in the way - that was the true blessing = happiness. And these messages were confined to the heart condition pre-Cross. After Jesus' death & resurrection, the Spirit changes one's heart, mind & perspective of life & worldly possessions.
And yes, you can give to the poor to meet their needs, but they, including those with money, still need to respond to the Gospel in humility & repentance to receive salvation & be a part of God's Kingdom.
The poor in spirit are the ones that admit that we desperately need a savior from our sin, Jesus Christ:
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. ( Proverbs 11:4)
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. ( Isaiah 55:1-3)
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. ( Isaiah 66:1-2)
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: ( Colossians 1:26-28)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? ( James 2:5)
Wesley's Notes for Matthew 5
5:3 Happy are the POOR - In the following discourse there is, A sweet invitation to true holiness and happiness, ver. 3 - 12. Matt 5:3-12. A persuasive to impart it to others, ver. 13 - 16. Matt 5:13-16. A description of true Christian holiness, ver. 17; chap.v7:12, Matt 5:17; Matt 7:12. (in which it is easy to observe, the latter part exactly answers the former.) The conclusion: giving a sure mark of the true way, warning against false prophets, exhorting to follow after holiness.
The POOR in spirit - They who are unfeignedly penitent, they who are truly convinced of sin; who see and feel the state they are in by nature, being deeply sensible of their sinfulness, guiltiness, helplessness. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven - The present inward kingdom: righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, as well as the eternal kingdom, if they endure to the end. Luke 6:20.
People's Bible Notes for Matthew 5:3
Mt 5:3 Blessed. There follows nine beatitudes, each of which pronounces a blessing upon those who have certain characteristics. The word "blessed" is first applied to God, and means more than "happy", as it has sometimes been translated. Happiness comes from earthly things; blessedness comes from God. It is not bestowed arbitrarily; a reason follows each beatitude. The POOR in spirit. The humble, in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit. Is the kingdom of heaven. Such shall become members of the kingdom that Christ will establish. The Jews rejected from this kingdom; on account of their spiritual pride.
Mishael
a. Matthew 5:3. "poor in spirit". This refers to the condition of the heart rather than to not having wealth. It means to be humble, having a proper humble (not debasing) opinion of oneself. These folk have a 'spirit' that will be more attune to the Kingdom of God, recognizing that they are nothing before God & have nothing to present to God to try & elevate themselves. Unlike the 'rich in spirit' who are the opposite, trusting in themselves, their accomplishments, authority or power. These don't have the characteristics that would bring them close to God, trusting in themselves rather than God. These things (the Beatitudes) Jesus spoke to His disciples, as also in:
b. Luke 6:20. "Blessed be ye poor". Again speaking to His disciples, this word from Luke gives the sense that the disciples were ordinary folk, having left all to follow their Master. Some were already 'financially' poor as the fishermen, others like Matthew the publican may have had wealth. Whatever their financial state, the criteria for discipleship was leaving all worldly goods behind & learning from their Master. To have wealth & thus being blessed by God as the people were taught, usually meant that that would interfere with their singular focus on the objective: one 'cannot serve two masters', Jesus said. So Luke seems to imply that both poverty as well as mental humility are required for truly hearing & accepting Christ's message: that worldly possessions should not get in the way - that was the true blessing = happiness. And these messages were confined to the heart condition pre-Cross. After Jesus' death & resurrection, the Spirit changes one's heart, mind & perspective of life & worldly possessions.
And yes, you can give to the poor to meet their needs, but they, including those with money, still need to respond to the Gospel in humility & repentance to receive salvation & be a part of God's Kingdom.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. ( Proverbs 11:4)
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. ( Isaiah 55:1-3)
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. ( Isaiah 66:1-2)
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: ( Colossians 1:26-28)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? ( James 2:5)
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