“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 5:3
You probably get what “poor” means. It’s not how you feel when your mom says she can’t afford that iPod you’re dying for. Real poverty is having to do without the things the body needs. Very poor people don’t have enough to eat, may not have shelter, or are low on clothes to protect them from the weather.
“Poor in spirit” is being without the things that make the heart glad, like hope and joy and love. You may have been poor in spirit yourself when you had a fight with a friend, or felt left out at school, or needed time with your mom when she was too busy. And yet Jesus says you are blessed when you’re totally bummed out. You’re filled with God at times like that. How can that be?
God never says he “can’t afford” to give you what your spirit needs. He is in fact the only one who can. That’s a blessing.
More to Explore: Psalm 116:7 – 8
Girl Talk: Have you ever felt “poor in spirit”? Did you feel any different after praying about it?
God Talk: “Jesus, some days I just feel down. I feel disappointed or unloved or sad. Help me to remember that you are with me even in those dark times. Thank you for never leaving me. Amen.”
From That Is So Me by Nancy Rue