Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Mathew 5:3 NRSV
In the passage described as the beatitudes Jesus lists eight things that invoke a blessing. He mentions meekness, mourning, mercifulness, purity of heart and peacemaking. He mentions blessings of kingdom inheritance, comfort, mercy, adoption and divine vision. Nowhere to be found in this list of blessings is wealth or any other earthly thing.
This list of blessings is so counterintuitive. It goes against the grain of what many consider to be blessings. Perhaps it is because the word 'poor' (πτωχός) used in this verse means 'reduced to being a beggar'. In this upside down divine kingdom, spiritual beggars are blessed. Spiritual pride is vanquished and spiritual beggary is rewarded.
I am proud. I repent. Forgive me Lord. Create a beggar heart in me that I might see the kingdom of God.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
We seem to be craving the temporal blessing rather than the eternal, not realizing Jesus is the treasure we are really craving. Seek first His kingdom and the other things we need will be provided. The necessities.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Nonnie. I wonder if a blessing is ever temporal?
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