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Am I a Better Person if I'm Poor?
By Brian Christensen
Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3)! Does Jesus mean we should be poor in order to really know God? Will God deny salvation to all successful and rich people? These words by Jesus have been commonly misunderstood and quoted out of context to imply this view. As with all statements in the Bible, it is wise to expand our reading before and after to better understand what is being said. We should look at the setting and context of why it was said along with the translation.
Jesus further explains His meaning as he continues on in His Sermon on the Mount. He is trying to impart His wisdom on how much our mind and attitude effect our ability to learn and understand God’s way. If someone does not have much skill at a sport they like, then they practice and learn more about it. If we are in need of a job, then we try to obtain one. We might send out resumes, interview, check for job listings, etc. Suppose we do not have or make much money. Then we would try to achieve more by earning a degree, attending a training class, better managing our money, or working a second job. If we are “poor” in spirit, then we will seek Jesus and God’s knowledge more often. As we begin to understand the truth and are baptized, we must keep our wisdom in check and always have the mind-set of being “poor” in spirit. This way we never lose our passion for God and our thirst for more. Brethren, attitude is everything!
It is important to note that general statements about people are very dangerous and usually incorrect. It is neither fair nor accurate to say all poor people have more spirit and all rich people do not. The term “rich” and “poor” are defined differently by each of us. Jesus tells us numerous times that money and possessions have no bearing on our salvation. Having money or being poor is no guarantee. It is important to have a rich heart and mind. The treasure we seek first and value most should be the wisdom of God. This wisdom will help us to manage and be thankful for our possessions.
It is also possible to seek success through God, and gain wealth by applying His wisdom to our daily lives. We must accept and trust God’s will for our success and talents. At the same time we must also try our best at everything we do, for even if we fail, it may be a part of our growth and pleasing to God.
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 clearly shows; fear, blame and stagnation have no part with God. In this example, the “richest” person had the most faith and was rewarded. The “poorest” person even tried to blame his master for his fear and inaction. The importance of this parable is not the talents; it is the faith, heart, and passion behind the actions of each of them.
When Jesus proclaimed the Beatitudes, He was trying to explain the importance of our attitude and our approach to life. He also recognized the fact that sometimes when people have no money or possessions, there is a higher chance they will seek and turn to God. This is because there is nothing to stand in the way or distract them. Desperation will usually bring us closer to God. Statistics show the poorest countries have the highest percentage of “religious” people. This same thought process is why some religious people do not marry. They believe this will make them closer to God by devoting themselves only to Him. Sometimes, this might be true. Some Priests and Nuns, for example, are extremely devoted to their religion and have some of the greatest Christian love. They may not have a true understanding of the total truth however deeply they may understand the need for us to love one another. Conversely, others have allowed themselves to be corrupted and commit horrible acts. This is why Jesus is so emphatic about the importance of our attitude and perspective of life. If we maintain the right mind-set, we can do anything! As we become successful or gain material things, we must be watchful of the evil thoughts and ways that will try to bring us down and compromise our faith. We cannot forget God or change our attitude towards others. Be truly thankful for whatever talents you have and strive for the treasures of God with more passion and energy than you have for earthly things.
The parable of the Unforgiving Debtor in Matthew 18:23-35 shows us how quickly our attitude can change, even after receiving a blessing from God. The next time you see a homeless person begging for money, share some of your wealth. Thank God for the blessings you have and remember we are all “poor” in spirit. Then, beg God for more! i
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