“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”
Matthew 5:3
There are two sides to riches: the tangible riches—where you have an attachment to physical wealth or anything else of value to you, and the intangible riches—where you’re so convinced of your prowess and strength that you feel like you do not need any help. God cannot help a man who believes he does not need any help. And it is impossible to receive anything from God until you come to the place where you realise that without Him, you can do nothing.
Mark 2:17 says, “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
One of the things that greatly hindered the Pharisees while Jesus was on earth was that they were too rich in knowledge even to consider that they needed a Saviour who had such an origin as Jesus. In their eyes, they were whole and righteous and needed nothing else to set themselves right with God, and because of that mindset, they missed out on what was right in front of them.
Spiritually, as long as we are “Rich in Spirit” and feel we have all it takes, we can never access God. God does not fight alongside the man who thinks He is high and mighty because he would have no space for God to come in. James 4:6 says, “But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” But check the man who humbles Himself before God, the one who knows that without God He can do nothing; the one who admits he is not whole on His own but needs One who can make Him whole; the one who does not stand tall in a pool of self-righteousness but leans on the grace of God to make Him righteous. Check that man, for it is he who can access the help of God.
If you’re struggling with something, you should check your heart to ensure you do not think you can handle it yourself. For example, are you going to God just so He can give you small help, but you’ve got it from there, or are you going to God because if He does not help you, all other solutions are moot?
God cannot heal a man who is obviously sick but fails to acknowledge his illness. There’s the place of faith, so it is the place of arrogance. God cannot help a man whose knowledge and exposure have puffed him up and who does not really think he needs help. So, humble yourself before the Lord. Let Him be the one whose strength you boast in, not just with your mouth, but with your very being. “Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you, He will give you purpose]” James 4:10.
Prayers
- Lord, are there ways I am presenting myself as rich before you? Please save me from me (works of flesh, arrogance and everything that lifts itself above you in my life).
- Dear Father, what things do I have confidence in, so much that I believe I can do it on my own? Please, Lord, purge me of these things.
- Help me, Lord, to be poor in Spirit. Amen.
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