Title: The Happiness of Poverty / Matthew 5:5
Contents The Happiness of Poverty / Matthew 5:5
Erich Fromm defined pleasure as the feeling of possession and joy as the feeling of being. Pleasure destroys humanity and arouses greater desires, whereas pleasure purifies, heals and perfects humanity.
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes are not the joy of possession, but the joy of being in a relationship with God and people, and the happiness of being.
Among the true happiness that God speaks of, the first is poverty in spirit. Without opening the door of “poverty in spirit,” we cannot open the doors of all other blessings. No matter how precious or good you want to be filled, you can't fill any hallway without the poverty of spirit, just as you can't fill anything unless the vessel is empty.
What is poverty of spirit? This never means material things. To put it simply, poverty in spirit is to feel the need of God. It is to feel desperately in need of God the Savior. My life is to confess that I cannot be satisfied with what I have and that I absolutely need God's presence and guidance.
Regardless of material poverty or wealth, those who are poor in spirit can possess the kingdom of heaven and enjoy the happiness of the kingdom of God. Those who are poor in spirit and come to Jesus Christ can enjoy the happiness of heaven. There are many such examples in the Bible.
During the reign of David, the second king of Israel, Israel occupied the largest land and received tribute from neighboring countries. But David confesses in Psalm 40:17, “I am poor and needy, but you remember me; you are my help and my deliverer, my God, do not delay.” Even though he was seated on the throne, he confessed that what he needed is God and that it is God who protects himself and his country. This is poverty of spirit.
In Luke 19, Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector. However, he climbs up the mulberry tree to meet Jesus. As a rich man, he seems to live without lack, but there was poverty in his heart.
Nicodemus, who came to Jesus in John 3:1-10, was the most educated leader of Israel. He was one of the 70 members of the Israeli Council. He had a poverty of spirit that could not be satisfied despite much knowledge, academics, and social status. Eventually, he came to Jesus in the middle of the night. And through Jesus, we can enjoy the happiness of the kingdom of God.
In this way, poverty in spirit leads us to meet God. I hope that we will all have the grace to meet God through poverty in spirit and enjoy the riches of heaven.