Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”   Matthew 5:3

What we need to see/admit is that this is not a virtue! Poor in Spirit does not mean “humble.”  Poor in Spirit refers to the spiritually impoverished and destitute, the spiritual losers!

We’ve attempted to translate this and the other dreadful states of existence mentioned by Jesus in his preamble to his Sermon on the Mount, into virtues because it’s inconceivable to us that God would do anything for those who don’t first become worthy or who don’t first at least seek him. 

Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the poor in spirit because they are that way.” He was not thinking: “What a fine thing to be a spiritual moron, the kind of person who just does not get it. It qualifies them for the Kingdom!”  He was saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit in spite of the fact that they are that way, because now, thru me it’s a new day! Now the Kingdom of Heaven can belong even to them!”  Now even they are fortunate and blessed!