Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.3

Cursed are the rich in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of hell.

To be poor in spirit has nothing to do with material poverty, since there are proud poor people and humble rich people (Zacchaeus). To be poor in spirit has to do with a deep sense of humbleness (like an innocent child), which recognizes its spiritual misery before the Greatness of God: the condition of being a miserable, lost sinner. When there is such a sincere look within, one will notice how much he depends on the mercy of the Most High to forgive and save.

The Kingdom of Heaven is of the humble in spirit. Only the humble in spirit acknowledge and submit to the Truth – The Word of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To the arrogant religious Jews, the Lord said: “… you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.They are the cursed of this world;

My sheep hearMy voice, and I know them, and they followMe…”(John 10.26-27) – They are the blessed of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The humble in spirit are aware that they will never be saved because of their works of charity or self-righteousness. What’s the point of being fair to a few and unfair to others? They know that their good deeds don’t have the power to make up for their sins.

Therefore, from a material point of view, the Kingdom of Heaven is not for the rich or the poor, but for those who sincerely repent. Though he was the king of Israel, David came before the Almighty to confess, “But I am poor and needy…”(Psalm 40.17). In other words, he knew within himself that he was nothing or nobody without God.