Difficult economic times often result in an increase in individuals filing bankruptcy to eliminate all debt and relieve the financial pressures. While some misuse this option most people fight it off as long as possible. Bankruptcy is seen as failure and feelings of shame often accompany it. However, there is a blessed bankruptcy.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:1, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The word used for poor here is ptochos and refers to a person who has been reduced to begging. The picture is of someone who is bankrupt and has an extended hand waiting for help. Of course, the context is our view of our spiritual self. Only when we see ourselves as a beggar before God and admit our total inability and our dependence on him will we have true riches. To be poor in spirit literally means to be emptied of self and filled with Christ.
The blessing is two-fold. First, as is the case with each of the Beatitudes we are declared blessed. The word for blessed is makarios which means an inner happiness, peace, and satisfaction that cannot be disturbed by outward circumstances. The person who is blessed in this manner is indeed rich. The other blessing is the possession of the kingdom of heaven. The concept here is that the poor in spirit have within them the reign of Jesus and also look forward to being a part of his eternal reign. What wonderful grace God has made available to each of us who will file spiritual bankruptcy and become poor in spirit.
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