Prosperous are

1. Prosperous are the Poor in Spirit

2. Prosperous are the Poor (Matt. 5:3) Jesus astounded his Jewish audience who thought the Messiah’s kingdom would be like the rich kingdoms of David and Solomon. The Greek word for blessed is ‘makarios’ – “supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off” (Strong’s Greek Dictionary). The Greek word for poor is ‘ptochos’- ”a beggar…pauper…distressed” (ibid) But how can Jesus possibly be teaching that the poor are well off or prosperous?

3. The Beattitudes In the beattitudes, Jesus explains that true happiness doesn’t come from physical things or outward circumstances but from the inward character of righteousness. It is not something that we inherit but must learn for ourselves from the Master teacher. They teach us the character traits of all disciples who are molded to be fit citizens of the kingdom of Christ and servants of heaven.

4. Prosperous are the Poor (Rich in Faith) “Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5) The poor generally have a greater capacity to understand their need to depend on God over others (Macedonians- 2 Cor. 8:1-5). Jesus noticed and praised a widow for giving more than all the rich because she gave all that she had out of her poverty (Lk. 21:1-4).

5. Prosperous are the Poor in Spirit But is Jesus only discussing those who are lacking the necessities of life? If Jesus is discussing only the physically poor, then the lazy, neglectful, and irresponsible people who squander their time, talents or money would be blessed by God. But Jesus did not just say, “Blessed are the poor” but “blessed are the poor in spirit.”

6. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit The spirit is the inner part of man that was created in God’s image. (Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 12:7) The spirit is the “sentient element in man, that by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires” (Vine’s Dictionary) The poor in spirit realize that they are spiritually bankrupt because of their sins (Rom. 3:9ff).

7. The Poor in Spirit are Humble Jeremiah said, “I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Isaiah said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts“ (Isa. 6:5) After Isaiah’s sins are forgiven, the Lord says, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us. Then I said, “Here am I. Send me” (Isa. 6:9).

8. The Poor in Spirit are Humble Jesus came down to earth to become poor and do the Father’s will (dying on the cross) so that we might be saved and be rich in spiritual blessings (2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:5-8). The Pharisee was proud that he wasn’t like other sinners while the tax collector would not even look up to heaven saying, “God be merciful to me the sinner” (Luke 18:13). Jesus didn’t come to call the self righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).

9. It is Hard for the Rich to Be Poor in Spirit and Go to Heaven The rich young ruler had excellent morals but his wealth blinded him from realizing that he was spiritually bankrupt (Mt. 19:16-20). When Jesus told him to sell everything, give it to the poor, & he would have eternal life, he was grieved because he had so much (v. 21-24). The disciples were greatly astonished and asked, “who then can be saved” (v. 25)?

10. But the Rich Can Be Poor in Spirit The rich tax collector Zaccheus voluntarily told Jesus he would give ½ of his possessions to the poor and promised to give 4X as much if he defrauded anyone (Luke 19:8-10). Job was righteous but God allowed him to lose his health, all his servants, possessions and children. He became poor in spirit saying, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?… I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes” (Job 40:4; 42:6).

11. But the Rich Can Be Poor in Spirit Solomon became very wealthy by God. (1 Kings 3:7-13; 10:23) He fell away from God for awhile (1 Kings 11). But he came to his senses and realized that all that he possessed was vain because it didn’t satisfy him (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12). The conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

12. Conclusion You can never enjoy the blessings of citizenship in God’s kingdom until you realize that you are spiritually bankrupt. The poor in spirit will have the attitude of a little child, “Speak Lord for your servant hears” and will humbly obey the Lord’s command. (1 Samuel 3:10; Matt. 18:3-4) You must be born again (of water and the Spirit) to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:3, 5; Acts 8:35ff)

13. Conclusion As a Christian, we need to maintain the attitude of being poor in spirit because even if we have obeyed every command we have not earned or merited salvation (Luke 17:10). Are you poor in spirit? Do you have a humble attitude? If not, you cannot go to heaven. Would you rather be rich now and suffer later or be like the poor beggar Lazarus and suffer now and enjoy eternal life later (Lk. 16:19ff)?