Poor in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5: 3)

   Jesus often taught that concern about earthly belongings could be an obstacle for those seeking Him.  When a rich young man asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life Jesus told him to obey the commandments and “Go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mark 10: 21).  He told His disciples, “It is easier to for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10: 23)

   How are we to understand this teaching of Christ?  Are we to give away all that we have in order to get to heaven?  I have known those who are quite wealthy yet lived a life of charity and giving to others.  Are they not doing the will of God?  Will they be denied heaven because of their wealth?  I don’t believe this is what Jesus was trying to impart to us in this teaching.

   Jesus used examples to teach wisdom through the parables and other subtle ways in His teachings.  I see this teaching about wealth in a similar way.  Perhaps what keeps one from entering heaven is not material wealth but the love of that wealth.  Just as anything that we place above God can become god for us, so can wealth.  It really doesn’t even matter how much we have; if we prize it above God we will not enter His kingdom.

   There are some who enter the ministry or religious life who give up all material things and take a vow of poverty.  They wish to have no love of earthly things; only of God.  Those who choose that path are blessed and should be praised for their sacrifice.  But that is not a choice that everyone must make in order to be with God.

   Others use their material wealth to help others.  They support worthy charities; feed and clothe the naked and the hungry; care for those less fortunate.  Jesus taught that these things are the path to heaven as well.  “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matt 25: 40)

   The difference in those whose wealth will stand in the way of the path to heaven and those whose wealth will smooth the path to heaven is their attitude toward that wealth.  Those who believe that their material wealth is their due and their right may not see that sharing it will increase their wealth in heavenly goods.  Their possessions will come to possess them both in this life and the next.

   Others understand that all we have, whether a little or a lot, is a gift from God and therefore not ours to hoard, but ours to share.  The love that can be given through the sharing of wealth is the rightful use of God’s blessings.  If we have little to share we must share even that.  Great sharing doesn't depend on amount, but on sacrifice.

   God gives and sometimes He takes away; neither affects our eternal soul.  The things this world treasure are worthless in the world to come.  Those who understand these things, living accordingly, are the poor in spirit who will inherit the kingdom of God.