Even better, we are encouraged to think that we can become wealthy and comfortable - with enough effort.
Jesus began His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ with some very upside-down perspectives, such as His first Beatitude - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
To be physically poor is to lack the financial resources to provide for our basic needs.
So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?
Those who recognise their own spiritual poverty know, that without God, they are unable to provide a way on their own which will make them ‘good enough’ to ‘earn’ a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
If we are honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable and self dependant.
But even if we are financially stable, or even wealthy, we cannot save our own souls - we cannot remove the barrier (sin) which separates us from God.
That barrier is in place because we choose to live independently of God’s wise direction for our lives.
We were created to depend on God’s loving direction for our living, but have decided that we know best, and our selfishness leads us away from God.
Those poor in spirit recognise that it is humility, not pride or self-reliance which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. They can’t, but God can.
Only Jesus was able to overcome sin and death, and earn forgiveness for those who trust Him.
So if you are feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it’s okay. If you feel you have nothing to offer, Jesus says you are actually blessed!
When you have a need, He can meet it. When you feel you are not enough, He already is.
When you feel poor in spirit, you are actually in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.
~ Contributed by Bruce Driver of the Uniting Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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