The Posture of Humility
By Andrew Calabrese
In a world that glorifies self-sufficiency, confidence, and personal achievement, Jesus’ words in the sermon on the mount stand in stark contrast:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 KJV)
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit,” and why does Christ say this is the first step toward true blessing?
To be poor in spirit means to recognize our absolute need for God. It is an admission of spiritual bankruptcy. That apart from Christ, we have nothing and are nothing. This is difficult to accept in a culture that prizes self-reliance. However, God’s Word repeatedly reminds us that pride is the great barrier between us and God.
“…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6 KJV).
We might compare this to a beggar who has no resources of his own and must depend entirely on the generosity of others. Spiritually, we are in the same condition. We come to Christ empty-handed, with nothing to offer but our need for His mercy. Only when we acknowledge our complete dependence on Him can we receive the riches of His grace.
Being poor in spirit isn’t just about salvation, although you needed to be poor in spirit in order to receive salvation. It’s a daily posture of humility before God. It means the following:
1) Rejecting self-righteousness and depending on Christ’s righteousness.
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9 KJV)
2) Approaching God in prayer with a humble heart, recognizing our need for Him.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 KJV)
3) Living with gratitude, knowing that every good thing comes from Him.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 KJV)
4) Serving God and others without seeking recognition, just as Christ humbled Himself.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)
Jesus’ promise for those who are “poor in spirit” is astonishing: “…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” While the world chases temporary wealth, power, and status, the truly blessed are those who embrace their need for God. The kingdom of heaven is not just a future hope but a present reality! Those who are poor in spirit experience the joy of the rule and reign of Christ in their lives now.
If we desire to follow Jesus as a true disciple, we must begin where He tells us to — with humility. Let us ask God to strip away our pride, deepen our dependence on Him, and shape us into people who reflect His grace. In doing so, we will experience the blessing that comes not from self-sufficiency, but from surrender.