Jesus opened his famous Sermon on the Mount with a list of “blessed sayings” known as the Beatitudes. He detailed certain character qualities along with the divine favor that awaited those who possessed or suffered from such characteristics.
The first Beatitude references the “poor in spirit.” Jesus said the kingdom of heaven was theirs. The poor in spirit are those who recognize their own spiritual poverty as it relates to God. The grace offered by God through Jesus is the spiritual currency that makes the poor in spirit rich.
MATTHEW 5: 1-3
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
