Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
She was one of the top billed actresses, her films grossed the equivalent of $2 billion, her name was known by almost everyone in America, she was popular with the masses and was the reigning sex symbol of her age. Yet, she struggled with substance abuse, depression and anxiety throughout her life and died at the age of 36 from an overdose of barbiturates in her home in Los Angeles. Marilyn Monroe’s death was ruled as a probable suicide. (Wikipedia) We see the same pattern repeated all too often – fame and fortune bring misery, loneliness and depression, not happiness. Jesus said that happiness, personal fulfillment and satisfaction in life are a byproduct of a righteous walk with God which begins with acknowledging our spiritual poverty, our sin, and our need for Him; that is, when we are poor in spirit. Why are the poor in spirit the happy ones?
The things of this world were never intended to bring us satisfaction and joy apart from a relationship with God. We confuse the means with the results. The things of this earth can never be the means of happiness, but are rather the result of our relationship with God because He is the source of happiness and He wants only the best for us.
God is all-knowing. He knows what will bring us inner joy, enduring satisfaction, and a sense of well-being. He wants to keep us from spending our lives looking for happiness, when it is available in and only in a relationship with Him. The essence of sin is independence from God. If we seek our own emotional happiness outside of a relationship with Him, we will be disappointed, frustrated, empty and continuously looking for more of what does not satisfy. Isaiah 54:2 says, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”
The poor in spirit are blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Salvation and eternal life are found only in Christ. Jim Elliott said, “No man is a fool who loses that which he cannot keep to keep that which he cannot lose.” The poor in spirit are happy because they recognize that true joy and satisfaction in life do not come from the things of this earth, but from a relationship with God.