Why be poor?

“POOR” is a word we dread, that’s why we work hard, right? But in our unexamined way of using the word “poor” we get to be superficial, divisive, even self-destructive in our thinking. “Poor” is something we don’t want to be, and so we leave our family behind in order to earn dollars abroad. Armed with the intention of improving our lives, we brainwash our children to believe salvation can only be found in overseas jobs. Because we want to impress our co-workers we do not want to “look poor”, and so we spend our salary on the latest “branded” clothes. Taking this to the next level, an ambitious young woman quips, “I must dress rich, otherwise, I will only attract poor suitors.” Poor suitors are a no-no to some parents who want relief from their past of poverty, thus they admonish their daughters to marry into money no matter what. Even people who think themselves charitable and give to the poor see the poor as belonging in a much lower level than them, never as equals.

Little do we know that in not wanting to be poor, to be seen as poor, or to be associated with the poor, we may actually be rejecting a desirable poverty of spirit as well. Jesus blesses the “poor in spirit”, the person who knows and recognizes that before God he is nothing, has nothing to offer, and can do nothing to save himself from his sinfulness. In other words, humble.

It is difficult to be humble, to be poor in spirit when a person “has everything” because having “everything” usually gives one a sense of power and independence, including independence from God. A discerning mind, however, can quickly see that “having everything” could also breed evil, enslave a man, and destroy everyone he touches. Blessed are those, indeed, who regardless of their possessions, ambitions, and status in life, strive to be poor in spirit. To them belongs the kingdom of heaven—peace, serenity, true freedom.