Thoughts on being Poor in Spirit

10.1.12

A few weeks ago, I was reading and meditating on James when a verse stuck out as if I had never read it before. It was James 2:5, which says, “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” The question that hit me like a train was: If the poor are the heirs of the kingdom, is it possible for the rich to enter? And so, the journey began.

In retrospect, I don’t know how I missed this message all these years. Jesus spoke it plainly in passage after passage, as well as many other Biblical writers. Many of these passages I have read more times than I can count. For example, Matthew 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In this passage, often known as the Beatitudes, Jesus mentions weeping, being hungry and thirsty, and being meek, poor, and persecuted.  Each of these is a prerequisite to inheriting the Kingdom, being comforted, being filled and inheriting the earth; all of which would be widely considered part of the Christian’s life. I always thought of this passage as simply talking about attitudes, but what if it’s more than that? What if you are not hungry or poor or persecuted, can you enter into the Kingdom?

Let’s go back to James. The first chapter has always been one of confusion for me. I couldn’t understand why James jumped from suffering to faith to wisdom to riches. But on that same day while meditating, God revealed the connection. When we are suffering and choose God instead of bitterness, faith grows within our hearts. Faith is not a strength that comes from me, but, from my weakness, I can see that God is strong. Then comes wisdom, understanding who God is and who I am. But this process is lost when doubting replaces the eyes of faith. Like a wave of the sea, we are thrown by our feelings from pride to utter despair. This doubting is rooted in double-mindedness, the desire to serve God and riches, our own wants.

This truth is reflected in the passage from Matthew 6. Verse 24 says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” And so, this tower of reasoning brings me to the conclusion that I have only one choice. I can serve God in faith, knowing that I have nothing in myself, or I can hold to my own strength and run after the things of this world and I will fade away in my pursuits.

I recently met a girl, who despite her young age had strong opinions about all she saw around her. She was disillusioned by the hypocrisy of Christianity and frustrated by the small-mindedness of her peers. She was determined to leave the country and never be associated with the place of her birth. Consumed by her bitterness, she found little joy in anything other than mindless entertainment. When she spoke, she used well-formed logic and knowledge to twist her arguments into attacking conclusions. Pointing the finger at everyone else, she found fault in all she saw. 

This young girl was a perfect example of one who has not heeded the warning of Colossians 2:8. It says, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” This verse has an important truth underlying the last phrase. The basic principles of this world are not according to Christ and His Gospel. This girl, cheated by her reasoning, is missing the riches of Christ. She has traded her soul for the attractions of this world and they have turned to dust in her fingers.

Two basic principles of this world that we as Christians must unlearn are being busy and pursuing riches and pleasure. We have been cheated and sold empty deceit. We are busy with work and all that we have deemed important, secretly hoping we will gain riches as our reward. But we have missed it. We have missed the message of the Gospel. Jesus came to the weak, poor, blind, and the sinners and unless we know ourselves to be each of these we will not enter in by the narrow way to walk on the path of His righteousness. James’ words become fiery as he begins chapter five: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.”

And so, I am left questioning: What am I heaping up? Do I know myself to be poor, blind and in desperate need of my Savior? As long as I think I have anything to offer, I'm missing out on the riches of God's strength, for in my weakness He is strong. 

“But I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live. For the LORD hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners.” ~Psalm 69:29-33