"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." What does this mean???

Question

Matthew 5:3

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What is 'poor in spirit'?

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Answer 1

This was a question I had for many years. THEN - somebody pointed me to the NEB (New English Bible) which is more of a paraphrase. Normally I would not use this bible for study. But, they nailed it:

Here's what the NEB says:

"Blessed is the man who knows his need for God"

Answer 2

My answer to poor in spirit is; some people feel guilty or not loved or left out or not in the circle of normal. Some people are truly societies outcast. Jesus in his parable is saying; if you feel like you are living on an island by yourself and society has rejected you, come to me because we (Trinity=3 persons in one God) made you in our image and likeness. Why? Because God created all of us equal. We are his creation and one of a kind. The problem is society doesn't see or measure you or me that way. If you aren't; beautiuful, sexually attractive, rich, driving a fancy car, holding a degree and having a great job you don't fit. If you are going to church and need God you are probably closer than anyone that is complacent and feels like they have all the toys and wealth and really don't need to put too much time and energy into knowing Jesus. So the poor in Spirit win if they do their best to be forgiving to others and love God more than all of the things the world can give them. Blessings,Hot Wheels

Answer 3

Isaiah 61:1

[ The Year of the LORD's Favor ] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [ Hebrew; Septuagint the blind ]

Matthew 5:3

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

Luke 4:18

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Answer 4

Those who are poor in spirit are usually more receptive to hear the word of the Lord, therefore they will most likely abide in it and recieve "the Kingdom of Heaven".

There is a footnote on "poor" in my scriptures, here is what it references:
IE poor in pride, humble in spirit.

Other scriptures which it references reads ‘ . . . the poor in spirit who come unto me.’
Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 2: 5 (1-9).
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

D&C 56: 18 (18-20).
18 But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs.

D&C 88: 17.
17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.

You can also see Topical Guide (TG) topics:
TG Contrite Heart.
TG Humility.
TG Poor in Spirit.

Answer 5

Blessed has it's own special meaning it goes a little beyond good luck or a quick hit of extra money those are incidents and blessings but blessed is a continues state of affairs.
. The poverty of spirit is more of a state of mind and not considering yourself to be some kind of better than others. Pontius Pilot who ordered the Crucifixion of Christ considered himself to be a very powerful and was a member of the Roman aristocracy. Christ reminded him that his power was given to him.
All our attributes were given to us from something other than ourselves.we shouldn't be proud in ourselves maybe of ourselves for accomplishments but not because we are special and better so we can love our neighbors

Answer 6

I translate all of the "Blessed are the..." stuff to mean thus:
Jesus likes everyone on the list except for the meek. Everyone one the list gets the Kingdom of Heaven. The Meek shall inherit the Earth.

If you are meek, you are worthless. you get to stay here and wallow in the crap.

As for poor of spirit = those who make crappy wine.
Jesus likes cheap wine. You get to go to Heaven.

Answer 7

visit a third world country and see the lowliness of the peoples minds .. they are not wallowing in self pity .. but not hi and mighty pufed up proud like *ahem ... most americans ....and the kingdom of heaven is at hand for u to walk in and claim through the Holy Spirit ..

Answer 8

Poor in Spirit means acknowledging God's ownership of everything and that we are responsible to be good stewards of those things with which we have been blessed. Our attitude should be one of faithful servants and not one of pride, envy, lust, and gluttony. We are called to use what we have and are given to provide for ourself and serve God's people.

Answer 9

The Poor in Spirit are aware that compared to God, they have nothing of worth. They are indeed humble, but more, their priorities are straight. God can trust His Home to such as these.

Answer 10

Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices to God are a broken spirit;
A heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not despise."

Isaiah 57:15: "For this is what the High and Lofty One, who is residing forever and whose name is holy, has said: “In the height and in the holy place is where I reside, also with the one crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly ones and to revive the heart of the ones being crushed."

James 4:6b; "“God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”