Why Does God Want Me To Be Poor In Spirit?

YouVersion: http://bible.com/events/48793654

“The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3 )

“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” (Psalm 146:5 ) [NIV]

“Poor in spirit” means that you humbly depend on God instead of yourself.

God wants you to be “poor in Spirit” so that you can depend on …

  • … His wisdom instead of your own.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 )

“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. 7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7 )

  • … His strength instead of your own.

“Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5 )

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26 )

  • … His timing instead of your own.

“14 But I trust in You, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 The course of my life is in Your power …” (Psalm 31:14-15 a)

“He has made everything appropriate in its time.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:11 a)

  • … His protection instead of your own.

“Show respect to his son because if you don’t, the Lord might become furious 

and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.” (Psalm 2:12 ) [CEV]

“ 5Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him. 6 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure. 7 God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.” (Psalm 62:5-7 ) [CEV] 

  • … His wealth instead of your own.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 )

Believer’s baptism is the first step in expressing my dependence on God.

“ 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.”  (Romans 6:3-5 ) [NLT]