But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay.
The Jews had a special way of using the word poor. In Hebrew the word is 'ani or ebion. Over time these Hebrew words underwent a development of meaning.
- They began by simply meaning poor.
- They went on to mean, because poor, therefore having no influence or power, or help, or prestige.
- They went on to mean, because having no influence, therefore down-trodden and oppressed by others.
- Finally, they came to describe the one who, because they have no earthly resources whatever, puts their whole trust in God.
So in Hebrew the word poor was used to describe the person who was humble, recognized their neediness, their lack of material wealth and who put their whole trust in God.
This understanding of what it means to be poor is a powerful theme that runs through many of the Psalms and speaks to the root of Jesus' teaching "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
We must be careful no think that the scriptures are claiming actual poverty a good thing. Poverty is not a good thing. It is the challenge of both the Old and New Testaments to remove poverty, to both feed and care for the needs of the poor.
Here we are talking about the invitation to recognize our own poverty of spirit; our deep need for God's guidance, direction, and healing grace. Here we are invited to claim our spiritual poverty as a good and precious gift; recognizing that our powerlessness is a pathway to deep inner freedom. Here we are challenged to see the truth that material possessions, abundance of wealth, positions of influence and power often fool us into to thinking all is well with our souls. Though spiritual poverty may at first glance sound like a bad thing- don't be fooled - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
For Reflection
How do you explain what it means to be poor in spirit?
In your own life how have you been blessed by claiming your own spiritual poverty?
In what ways do you miss God's kingdom because you are so focused on the kingdoms of material wealth, power, possessions and your need to be right?
