Scripture.

“God, blesses those who are poor and realise their need for him. For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

Application.

The sermon on the Mount is introduced by very powerful statements about the nature of God’s Kingdom. These statements are often called the Beatitudes.

The poor are blessed when they realise their need for God because they will receive God’s kingdom.

This statement reverses the values of the world. Most people think the rich are the blessed ones because they have lots of stuff. They can get quality care when they need it and they enjoy life’s luxuries.

Jesus says, it is the poor who are blessed. It is not that material poverty is a blessing in itself. In fact, Jesus does not say the poor are blessed because of their poverty. He says, “Blessed are those who are poor and realise their need for God.

The rich are less likely to recognise their need for God. The poor have fewer options.

Even so it is not uncommon to be poor and to not recognise your need for God. These people will not receive the Kingdom. It is when we realise that we cannot trust in our own abilities, resources, or talents to give us eternal life that we are forced to throw ourselves into God’s arms and trust Him to save us.

Prayer

Please help me Lord to trust in you and you alone. May your Kingdom come in my life and those around me. Amen.