Poverty

 Matthew 5:3 ESV

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


This is a counterintuitive verse. We tend to equate riches with blessedness, whether materialistically or even spiritually. We #blessed the expensive holiday snaps on social media for example.

Jesus says the opposite to what we might assume. If we know ourselves to be naturally poor spiritually, we can come to God for the riches he provides to those who know their need of him. He who was rich beyond all splendour, all for love's sake became poor, so that we through his poverty might become spiritually rich.

If we think we're good enough for God as we are, we're deluding ourselves. We need to admit we're beggars spiritually. We receive the Bread of life through faith in him.

Christians are famously described as beggars telling other beggars where to find bread. We're not to bad stingy with the spiritual sustenance we find in Christ. We're to be generous with others to tell them how they can become part of the Kingdom of God as well.

'Sovereign Lord, please help us to realise our spiritual poverty, and so to find the riches that you provide. For we ask in Christ's gracious name, amen'. 

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