The Spirituality of Being "Poor in Spirit"

At the very beginning of this iconic sermon, Jesus startled the crowd with a declaration that has turned the world’s values upside down:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3

Throughout history, the world hasn’t really changed much. Then and now, the world has prized itself on self-sufficiency and personal strength. Success has consistently been measured, in the world’s eyes, by what we can achieve and accumulate for ourselves. Yet, Jesus revealed, in these worlds from Matthew 5, that the foundation of true success and purpose is found in vulnerability and dependence. Jesus didn’t begin His sermon by commending the rich as faithful, the powerful as prayerful, or the accomplished as virtuous. Rather, He blessed those who knew they had nothing to offer.

Why This Beatitude Was So Shocking Then

In first-century Judea, true spiritual poverty was not seen as a virtue. The Pharisees, scribes, and teachers of the law were oftened honored for their public displays of piety. The outward display of piety was desirable, rather than an inward discipline of humility. You acted humble to gain the admiration of others and the respect of your peers. Therefore, their righteousness was often measured by how well one kept the law, not by how well one lived in relation to each other and toward God. Social honor was given to those who appeared spiritually strong and successful. It was against this backdrop, Jesus spoke these words, the the truly blessed on the ones who lived poor in spirit. It would have sounded completely upside-down then, as much as it does today. Jesus was telling the crowd that God’s kingdom belongs not to the outwardly impressive, but to the inwardly humble; those who knew they had nothing to offer and were willing to depend entirely on God’s mercy.

However, to be poor in spirit does not mean thinking poorly of oneself, nor is it necessarily a call to material poverty. Many have argued, throughout history, that being poor in spirit is easier when material possessions are lacking, but it’s not a requirement. A wealthy person can just as easily be poor in spirit, as someone who struggles with poverty. Being poor in spirit is not completely dependent on circumstances. St. John Chrysostom noted that the use of the word “spirit” in this Beatitude points to the voluntary nature of the virtue.1 Hence being poor in spirit is more a choice, than a condition forced on us by circumstances. Being poor is spirit is a deep spiritual humility; an honest confession that without God, we have nothing. It wasn’t coincidental that Jesus begins with this beatitude. It is truly the foundation for everything that follows in Jesus’ teaching. One cannot begin the spiritual journey through the Sermon on the Mount without first embracing the virtue of spiritual poverty.2 It really is a posture of the heart that is fully ready and humble to receive God’s grace. As the parable of the two men, who went up to the temple to pray, in Luke’s gospel, it was the humble sinner who went home justified.

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other [Pharisee], went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” — Luke 18:13-14

Acknowledging Our Need for God

This beatitude is the ability to see clearly our need of God in every aspect of life and in the fullness of His holiness. It is the active practice of humbling oneself to receive more of God’s gace.

Andrew Murray (1828–1917) was a South African pastor, missionary leader, and prolific Christian writer whose works have shaped spiritual formation for generations. Among his many writings, “Humility: The Beauty of Holiness” stands out as one of his most timeless works. Written in 1895, this short but powerful reflection is a call to embrace the very posture that Jesus himself embodied. Murray argues that humility is not an optional virtue for the Christian but the foundation of all true holiness. Being poor in spirit is where our faith journey begins. "Humility is the only soil in which grace can take root."3

The greatest obstacle to being poor in spirit, and to receiving God’s grace, is human pride. Pride is also the greatest barrier to true spiritual humility. It can show up in many forms, but one of the most subtle and dangerous is the pride we carry in matters of faith. This happens when we assume we already have enough faith and trust in God, or when we treat God as nothing more than a “get out of jail free card.” Such attitudes are deeply rooted in pride, which blocks any genuine relationship with God because it prevents us from receiving His grace. “Grace is meant to enter the heart and fill it; but pride closes it, and so keeps grace from entering. The proud heart cannot be filled, for it is full of itself."4

Also, our culture teaches us to be self-reliant and to find value in what we can achieve or control on our own. But Jesus invites us to acknowledge our dependence on God. This illusion of self-sufficiency clouds our understanding that we were created for interdependence, especially towards God. The poverty Jesus highlights isn’t a lack of, but an acknowledgement that we only thrive when we depend on God. This kind of poverty is not something to escape, but something to embrace. It is the precondition for receiving the riches of God.

In this great exchange of being poor in spirit, we bring to God our brokenness, our sin, and our need; and God pours out on us His mercy, grace, and righteousness. It’s a trade that pays out in our favor, every time. Through humility, we are grafted into God through Christ and receive life abundantly. As Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And, as Murray wrote, "The humble man knows that he has nothing in himself; but he knows also that in God he has everything."5

Why it Matters Today: The Practice of Spiritual Poverty

Our modern culture makes being poor in spirit especially challenging. We live in an age of curated perfection. Social media platforms encourage us to present a flawless version of ourselves, while consumerism teaches us that worth is measured by possessions. This modern culture is driven by the number of likes, friends, and emoji expressions that our compulsive desire is to be seen. We want the spot light, become an influencer and make a name for ourselves. All of it tells us that identity is built on what we accomplish. Yet these very messages are what make us resistant to spiritual humility. We fear being seen as weak, needy, or dependent. We would rather help than be helped, because vulnerability is not appealing. But Jesus’ words cut through this noise, and bring everything into perspective. Only when we embrace our dependence on God can we truly live free from the exhausting cycle of proving ourselves.

So, To treat this beatitude as merely a theological statement is to miss its full depth. It was always meant to shape the way we live each day. It was always meant to shape the way we live each day. In prayer, being poor in spirit means approaching God not with a list of demands, but with a heart open to receive what He longs to give. It means we listen more than we speak, and confess more than we defend. Repentance becomes a steady, a daily returning to the One who welcomes us in our need. With a humble heart, prayer shifts from performance to genuine communion.

In our relationships, this spiritual poverty is reflected in our ability to listen to others and affirm that they are seen. This beatitude leaves space for others to change us into a better person through their kindness and generosity. Humility quiets our need to be right or to be admired by others, and it helps us to seek forgiveness quickly while extending it freely. Being poor in spirit helps us to see others not as competitors, but as people with the same need as ours, to be seen and loved by God. Poor in spirit allows relationships to thrive and grow in mutual love for each other. This is all because Jesus emptied Himself in love for us.

And, in our work or vocation, the virtue of poor in spirit guards us from the pride that comes with success, and the despair that follows failure. It keeps us honest in our actions, with each other and to ourselves. To be poor in spirit is to recognize that our abilities and achievements are ultimately gifts from God. We tend to them and enjoy them, but we do not own them. Being poor in spirit is having a posture of gratitude for everything. This spiritual humility, essentially, frees us from the pressure to prove ourselves and allows us to live, move and act with joy.

The Fruit of Spiritual Poverty

When we make this beatitude our starting point, and open our hearts fully to God, we are promised the keys to the kingdom: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In God’s kingdom, there is extravagant abundance and life in its fullness. By admitting we have nothing to offer God, we receive everything He has to give, the abundance of that kingdom. This is not a “someday” promise, it is a gift for right now: theirs is the kingdom. To be poor in spirit is to live daily under the gift of God’s grace, belonging to a kingdom where love is freely given and worth is never measured. It is a reality we can experience today by enjoying peace in the midst of overwhelming circumstances, joy that isn’t tied to happiness, and freedom from the temptations that weigh us down. But this kingdom can only fill us when we are emptied, making space for it in our lives. “The only way we can become full is by becoming empty. The only way we can become rich is by becoming poor."6 We constantly have to be making space and room to be filled by God’s grace every day.

That’s the paradox of this first beatitude: God’s fullness is found through our emptiness. Too often, our lives are filled with worry, stress, anxiety, greed, ambition, and pride. We cling to these things because we fear emptiness; we are afraid of having nothing or no one to hold onto. So we grasp for what feels familiar and attainable. But being poor in spirit is our way of taking up the cross and following Jesus. In doing so, we encounter the love revealed when He emptied Himself on the cross.

“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” — Philippians 2:7-8

This beatitude reflects that moment when Jesus breathed His last and entrusted everything into the Father’s hands. His death was the ultimate expression of being poor in spirit, surrendering all so that God’s good purpose could unfold. Isaiah captures this beautifully, describing how the sovereign Creator of the universe stepped down from His majestic throne to take on the humble form of humanity:

“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.” — Isaiah 57:15

Being poor in spirit conveys the relationship between God and humanity, showing how humility often becomes a gift that benefits others. Sometimes, the treasure of God’s kingdom that flow from our spiritual poverty are meant for someone else to experience rather than ourselves. Jesus emptied Himself so the world could be filled with grace.

So how do we cultivate the virtue this beattitude? Through honest prayer, daily self-reflection, and a conscious letting go of our need to be in control. It means reminding ourselves again and again that everything we have is a gift, and that our deepest need is not for more ability, more knowledge, or more achievement, but rather more of God Himself. Jesus begins His sermon with this beatitude for a good reason. It is the cornerstone, the essential condition, for everything else that follows in Jesus’ teaching. And the good news is that anyone can practice this virtue and walk more humbly with their God. All that’s required is the courage to admit our need.

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1  St. John Chrysostom, “Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew: Homily 15,” Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, vol. 10.

2  Gregory of Nyssa, “On the Beatitudes: Homily 1,” Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, vol. 5, 85.

3  Andrew Murray, “Humility: The Beauty of Holiness,” (New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1895), chap. 1.

4  Andrew Murray, chap. 1.

5  Andrew Murray, chap. 1.

6  Richard Rohr, “Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life,” San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2011, 101.