2025.01.04 Happy Thoughts from the Bible – Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Jesus taught many things about the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Matthew. Gospel means good news. In chapter 5, the famous Sermon on the Mount is recorded. Jesus began with a foundational principal about the Kingdom and our relationship with God, our Father.

Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:2-3)

The word Blessed means to be supremely blessed, possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God, happy.

To be poor in spirit means to recognize our spiritual poverty, our need for Him, to be humble before God. He gives grace to the humble but resists the proud, (James 4:6). We need God’s grace, His help. Realizing our dependance on Him keeps us humble and living in His blessing.

The Amplified Bible says the verse this way…

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! (Matthew 5:3 AMPC)

Living in the Kingdom of God, here and now, is living in a state of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17).

Righteousness is living in the love of God, and manifesting the love of God.