Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus speaks about the kind of life His disciples will live and what His Kingdom is all about. A good speaker grabs the attention of his hearers in his opening statements and in Jesus’ opening remarks called the beatitudes, we are confronted by both the beauty of His words and the essence of the rest of His sermon.

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit?” Jesus is not speaking about being without financial means, although He has much to say about finances.  To be “poor in spirit” is to recognize we need God’s help. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those of us who confess our spiritual bankruptcy.  We are unable to earn our position.  We are dependent on Him.

The person who is poor in spirit is dependent and surrendered on the Grace of God through Christ.  Any other choice misses the point.