• The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • Read the first beatitude below. What is the first characteristic of one who is approved by God.

  • Matthew 5:3   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • The best way to understand what Jesus means by the poor in spirit is to see it modelled and contrasted. Read the following parable. Who represents the poor in spirit?

  • Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

    "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

    The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'

    But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

  • The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • The Pharisee represents the rich in spirit. How did he view himself?

  • Luke 18:9-12 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

    "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

    The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'

  • On what basis did he seek God’s approval?

  • The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • The tax collector represents the poor in spirit. How did he view himself?

  • Luke 18:13-14 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

  • On what basis did he seek God’s approval?

  • Which man went home approved?

  • Which person in the parable is most like you?

  • The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • Complete the following definition using ideas from Luke 18:9-14.


  • The poor in spirit is the person who

  • acknowledges their

  • and entrusts themselves totally to God's

  • as their only hope for His approval.


  • The Beatitudes - Day 2

    <br />The Poor in Spirit
  • In this meditation we have seen that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit. This is the person who knows that they are morally bankrupt. They know that they are totally unworthy of God, and therefore rely completely upon His mercy.


    In the next meditation, we will continue with the poor in spirit theme.


    Until then may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 


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