Contagious Characteristics: BeatitudesSample

Believe it or not, this is the most essential beatitude. Not only is it the foundation of the rest of the beatitudes, but it is also the foundation of a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Poverty reflects a lack or a need; poor people are usually aware of this need. In the original translation, the word poor means crouching like a beggar, a state of helplessness.

To be poor in spirit is to recognize how much we need God and His grace and mercy. When approaching Him, we are to do it empty-handed, like a beggar who can offer nothing in return. This approach may be different from what the world teaches us because when it comes to relationships or the workplace, we must first show what we can bring to the table before a person or company agrees to invest in us. However, what Jesus requires is different. We aren't to bring anything to Him except our broken hearts, showing that we are deeply sorry for our sins (Psalm 51:16-17).

To be poor in spirit requires three things:

• Awareness: to be well-informed about a particular situation. In our case, we must be mindful of our sinfulness and need for a Savior.
• Brokenness: to be damaged, defeated, and no longer in one piece. In the beginning, God created us in His image to have a perfect relationship with Him. Once sin entered the world, our perfect relationship with God had become damaged, defeated, and no longer in the condition that He created it.
• Dependency: to have a need that can only be met by something or someone else. In our case, that someone is Jesus. Due to sin damaging our relationship with God, Jesus came down to earth to restore it by dying on the cross and resurrecting (1 Timothy 2:5). Consequently, unless we go through Jesus, our relationship with God cannot be repaired.

We must walk humbly daily, admitting, "I need God's help." God offers us salvation as a gift through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Before receiving this gift, we must understand that we can do nothing to make ourselves worthy of it.

Reflection Questions:

1. Think of a time when you felt poor in spirit - when you were desperately aware of your need for God. How did He meet you?
2. What have you learned from this study, and how will you put it into practice today?