What is Blessed About Being Poor?

What Is Blessed About Being Poor?
from “Jesus’ Attitudes of Happiness” Series

Matthew 5:1-3

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Like the Psalms, Jesus begins his public teaching with the theme of happiness.
Psalm 1:1
Matthew 5:1-3

Jesus had been fasting in the wilderness when Satan offered Him three plans:

1. Stones into bread = the immediate
2. Jump from the temple = the expedient
3. Worship Satan and acquire power = the temporary

There are three parts to each Beatitude:

1. A promise rooted in happiness
2. The key to discovery
3. The results in our lives

The English word “blessed” comes from the Hebrew word “asher”.

In the Old Testament, “asher” always connected with the blessing of God.
“Blessed” was the word of intimacy between God and His people.

The Greek word “makários“ means more than our English word “happy”.
Matthew 5:3

The Greek word “ptóchos” means abject poverty.
In Hebrew “ani” relates poverty to humble and faithful as in Psalm 34:4-6.

The happiness Jesus promises is rooted in humbleness.

The first step toward a life of true happiness is the attitude that says, “I need help, I can’t do it alone.”

Charles Spurgeon warns us “not to be proud of race, face, or place.”
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Pride leads to every other vice…”

Isaiah 66:2 “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit.”

Eric Greiten’s book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

“I begin with humility, I act with humility, I end with humility. Humility leads to clarity. Humility leads to an open mind and a forgiving heart. With an open mind and a forgiving heart, I see every person as superior to me in some way; With every person as my teacher, I grow in wisdom. As I grow in wisdom, humility becomes ever more my guide. I begin with humility, I act with humility, I end with humility.”

Two Miracle-Working Confessions:

1. I need help. “Your chains can lead to change if you are willing to say these three words.
2. I’m sorry. Honesty will set you free!

Psalm 51:17

So, what holds us back?
Un-holy pride vs. holy pride