“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, NIV).
Kingdoms
usually are governed, controlled and maintained by the wealthiest and
most powerful members of the kingdom. Those in the kingdom who are poor
or without means, title, and position are left to fend for themselves
usually without rights, privileges or access to the finer things of the
kingdom. There usually is no course of action for the poor of the
kingdom to ever bring about any reversal of their position from the
lowest realms of the kingdom to be part the upper ranks of the kingdom.
Thus
the poor in most societies are usually considered with the lowest of
respect and regard. Even though the poorest are indeed the most humble
and most in need of what any kingdom could provide; they most likely
would be the least likely to be given much. They might even be the
hardest workers, the most diligent and loyal of all the subjects in the
kingdom but this will not elevate them from their lowly place in the
kingdom. Their humbleness in spirit will never be noted as a cause or
reason for their inheriting the wealth of the kingdom.
How
different is “The Kingdom of God,” as it is promised as an inheritance
with the highest of benefits and privileges to those who are the poorest
and most humble subjects in the kingdom. Those that are in the lowest
of positions will indeed be those that inherit the highest positions in
the kingdom. Those people, who see their great need for God and realize
their total dependence upon Him, will be given the graceful riches of
His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not entered or captured by riches,
power or manipulations but is instead given to those desire God and His
kingdom in humble state. He will indeed lift up the poorest and most
humble in His Kingdom. All that is required to be part of the Kingdom of
God is to acknowledge and live in such a way as to we see our need for
God as the only way into His Kingdom.
Maybe
Christ is simply saying in the Kingdom of God: the poorest and the most
humble in their position as needing what the Kingdom brings, will
indeed inherit the Kingdom? This premise fits quite remarkably with the
promise of Christ that “the last shall be first.” Maybe we will be very
surprised at the royalty in the eternal Kingdom of God!
Suggested Reading … “The Beatitudes of Christ” (Matthew 5:2-12)
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