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

Being poor in spirit in this context is not talking about material things, but about our spiritual health. My first discipleship class at Richland Creek was in the book of Matthew. I was someone who knew the story of Jesus, but did not have a relationship with Jesus. In going through the beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel, I came to the realization that I truly was not saved. God used this verse to bring me to a point where I was poor in spirit, realizing my own spiritual poverty and my need of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Being poor in spirit means humbling ourselves to a Holy God, being dependent on Him in all things, recognizing that He is God and we are not. Philippians 2:3 tells us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross (see Phil 2:8). Humility is not something we can think or work ourselves into, nor is it something we should take pride in; it is a discipline of transforming the way we live and think of ourselves. The way to transform our thinking is to study the Word of God. Romans 12:2 proclaims, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”