Blessed are the poor in spirit?

Question

Jesus said it.
Do you think he had a point?

Answer 1

It's another mistranslation. It means those without ego are closer to truth.

Answer 2

Of course He had a point. Whether it survived the years is another matter. Several translations have given different slants, though tending in a certain direction. Here are some:

Matthew 5:3, KJV: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Many versions, including the Revised Standard, HNV, and the NIV are in these words.

The New English Bible puts it this way: "How blest are those who know their need of God; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

ABS version: "God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!"

God's Word version: "Blessed are those who are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them."

The Amplified Bible unpacks the various possible meanings of verses, and so we get this: "Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"

By now it should be clear what Jesus was getting at. Was he on to something? I think so. If there is a God, what more can be said. But if there isn't - let's just consider a world without God - it still bears truth. Perspective: of an individual in the face of the universe and all it holds.

If Isaac Newton could say he felt like a child on the beach playing with pebbles - this is one of the greatest physicists in the world - if he could say that, what about us? The more you know, the more you find you don't know. Yes, Jesus was on to something.

Answer 3

He would have had a point,had he explained what exactly poor in spirit means. I taught sunday school and explaining that to 10 year old kids is kind of tricky. I think he just wanted us to keep a low profile,to be humble - please,never modest. Modesty is,in my point of view, hypocrisy in disguise. But saying "blessed are the poor in spirit" doesn't mean "blessed exclusively the poor in spirit". It just means they have priority,since they are more needy.

Answer 4

He also said .. " It is easier to pass a camel through the eye of a needle , than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God . but he wasnt talking of material wealth he ment self worth and the sin of pride , a man can be rich in many ways , in his home life , in his studies , and in his worship, to think of just a few . so what he really meant I believe is those who despair at the actions of his fellow man , not those who feel low in body and mind thats why he gave us choices , He actually said " Blessed are the poor in Spirit for they shall see heaven " meaning things will only get better , for those of true faith , lets hope that was his point as it surely could get a lot worse . Those who believe are called the faithful , yet many call themselves the children of God .. by virtue of the praise God the Father , but he said Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God , would you call yourself a peacemaker , I can't ?

Answer 5

Iam very sorry to disagree because had the poor been blessed why will they be born poor fending for a morsel of food ,braving sun and the chill fighting every unjust thing without a word and cursing themselves for they are unable to meet their bare minimum needs.
Poor are the less blessed hence their spirit to fight for every second of their survival is withered away by the misfortune they are in and by the misfortune they have to face in every step of their life.
May be Jesus had this fighting spirit of the poor in his mind.

Answer 6

The verse can be found (only) in Mat 5:3.

In Luke 6:20 it says "And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."

In Luke 6:24 it says "But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation."

It seems to appear from these verses that blessedness is for the poor and not to the rich. BUT don't be mislead. Blessedness is NOT only for the poor BUT for the "poor in spirit" - those who seek God!

Answer 7

No .. its propaganda to give some sort of vertias to christianity. It works as the initial converted in jesus' time tended to be the disaffected and disenfranchised.

Every religion does it .. and this phenomenon is most apparently obvious when one considers the intrinsic relationship between charity (in law) and religion... Charitable Uses Act 1603 in Common Law countries.

The Islamic Courts Union in Somalia are another example of this phenomenon.

Answer 8

Yes. Misery and destitution make you humble. It may not make you a better person because poor and rich people steal alike but it makes you humble and knowledgeable of the trails people go through.
When one is rich there is the desire and ability to acquire the fanciest of materials but if you're poor you have to take pleasure in the simplest of materials.

Answer 9

GOOD QUESTION...What was the question? I do think he was reported to have said such a thing. His point may have been true for everybody once. People change, then change again. Then change some more. Some stay pretty much the same. Others are busy, and a few are searching..............Icons, eh.?

Answer 10

In poverty there is no automatic qaurantee for spiritual purification, blessing of soul, or elevation of human spirit. Poverty often brings along with it moral degridation and spiritual decline. These things then become clearly visible very soon to the eyes of the ones who might be comparitively in a better stead. The quote, therefore, has its reason for those people, for people who need to realised the plight of fellow human beings and see aspects of dignity in human suffering, who have potential and the ability to do something good to others. This is to inspire goodness in the rich and he able and to provide them with solid moral ground to operate upon.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag2QhRW0j5LBjTUkLLChdlUhBgx.?qid=20070618035632AAekvhI&show=7#profile-info-1edf061adc19fd494545f8acc9cb3b22aa

... check the above link for a discussion related to this topic.

Answer 11

Poor in spirit refers to humility and complete dependence on God.