As you look around at the world and as you look at the various people in the world, who would you describe as “happy” or “blessed”? Is it the person who has both a summer home and a winter home? Is it the person who has the biggest fish house and the largest boat? Is it the person who plays on the team that wins the Super Bowl? Is it the person who is in charge and can tell other people what to do? Who is blessed?

Jesus says that the person who is blessed is the one who is “poor in spirit.” Are you poor in spirit? Are you spiritually destitute, helpless, hopeless, and lost on your own? Are you so poor that all your spiritual needs must be met from outside of you? Do you have nothing, no resource in the spiritual realm? Whether you realize it or not, you are spiritually poor and destitute. Why so? Because you’re sinful. The reality is: everyone is poor in spirit.

But it’s those who know their poverty who Jesus says are blessed. Why so? Because when you recognize your problem you appreciate the solution. To the poor in spirit Jesus gives “the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus has opened heaven for you!

You may not have all the toys. You may not be very “rich” in material things. You may not be very powerful or influential. You may not be popular or famous. But you are blessed for yours is the kingdom of heaven!

You are blessed! Appreciate that today.

pastor