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Blessed are the poor in spirit! – Kingdom Minded

This verse is part of the Magnificat, the song of praise that Mary sang when she visited her relative Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary was also pregnant with Jesus, the Son of God, and she rejoiced in God’s favor and mercy.

He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

Luke 1:53 (CSB)

  • But what does this verse mean for us today?
  • How does God satisfy the hungry and send the rich away empty?
  • And who are the poor in spirit that Jesus blessed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3)?

The poor in spirit are those who recognize their need for God and depend on him. They are humble, contrite, and repentant. They are not proud, self-sufficient, or arrogant. They know that without God, they have nothing.

  • The hungry are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:6.
  • They desire to know God more, to obey his will, and to see his justice prevail.
  • They are not satisfied with the status quo, but seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

The rich are those who trust in their wealth, power, or status. They do not acknowledge their need for God or his grace. They are self-reliant, self-indulgent, and self-righteous. They love the world and its pleasures more than God.

God meets the needs of the poor in spirit and the hungry by giving them himself. He gives them his Son, who died for their sins and rose again to give them eternal life. He gives them his Spirit, who dwells in them and guides them into all truth. He gives them his Word, which nourishes their souls and instructs them in his ways. He gives them his Church, which supports them and edifies them in love. He gives them his promises, which assure them of his faithfulness and goodness.

God sends the rich away empty by withholding his blessings from them. He does not force them to accept his gift of salvation but respects their free will. He does not reward them for their worldly achievements but exposes their vanity and futility. He does not satisfy their cravings but lets them experience the emptiness and dissatisfaction of their pursuits. He does not ignore their sins but judges them according to his righteousness.

God is not unjust or partial in his dealings with people. He is gracious and merciful to all who call on him in truth. He is no respecter of persons, but looks at the heart. He is not impressed by outward appearances, but values inward realities.

God invites us to be poor in spirit and hungry for him. He wants us to depend on him, seek him, love him, and serve him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He promises to fill us with good things and make us rich in him.

  • Luke 1:53 (CSB) — He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
  • Isaiah 61:1 (CSB) — 1 The Spirit of Yahweh God is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;