......poor in spirit.......???

[John D]

I read the following quote: All familiar with Old Testament phraseology know how frequently God's true people are styled "the poor" (the "oppressed," "afflicted," "miserable") or "the needy"--or both together.....The explanation of this lies in the fact that it is generally "the poor of this world" who are "rich in faith"
It is a quote from a christian commentary on Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

It is kind of contradictory, is it not? If Gods people are "poor and needy" but "rich in faith" according to the commentators. My understanding is that the "poor in spirit will get the Kingdom of heaven. So it stand to reason that it won't be God's people - or at least the poor rich buggers but the rich poor buggers that will get it all.

Who can tell me - what is the meaning of : poor in spirit.?

 

[Sunstone]

Offhand, I'd guess poor in spirit refers to people who are less egotistical than is the norm.

 

[Baydwin]

Offhand, I'd guess poor in spirit refers to people who are less egotistical than is the norm.

I would have thought that true, obsession with material wealth is usually to the detriment of developing the ethical, philosophical and other "spiritual" aspects of ones mental life. More time spent in acquisition and not in contemplation tends to lead to a shallow and transparent personality.

 

[no-body]

I think it connects to the parable of the two debtors. Those poor in spirit will love the Lord more because of the bigger debt canceled to them. This can also mean that poor in spirit is a state of mind and not just being literally poor and abused in life.

A more esoteric/mystical view of the phrase would be that those going through hard times are closer to enlightenment/knowing God

 

[John D]

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven/God is the main reason for a lot of people to seek God.
a Lot of religions or "ways" ask of you to become Enlightened, to conect with your"inner self". That wil make you richer in spirit not poorer.A section of Christianity learns that you must grow less and God more. But that is a focus on your will and humanity and not your spirit.

Don't just read the post,please.
Give us your take on this. I would realy like to know.:shout

 

[no-body]

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven/God is the main reason for a lot of people to seek God.
a Lot of religions or "ways" ask of you to become Enlightened, to conect with your"inner self". That wil make you richer in spirit not poorer.A section of Christianity learns that you must grow less and God more. But that is a focus on your will and humanity and not your spirit.

Don't just read the post,please.
Give us your take on this. I would realy like to know.:shout

But what if knowing God is just another way of saying enlightenment? Part of Enlightenment is the dissolving of the ego which falls under the criteria of "poor in spirit" to me. You have a certain view of enlightenment and a certain view of knowing God but that doesn't mean that what you or I think they mean is what they are.

I haven't really gotten too much into christian mysticism but I recommend reading everything by Meister Eckhart if you haven't already done so. For myself I think Jesus's teachings are like zen koans. The truth is the truth no matter what religion or concept it falls under.

 

[John D]

But what if knowing God is just another way of saying enlightenment? Part of Enlightenment is the dissolving of the ego which falls under the criteria of "poor in spirit" to me. You have a certain view of enlightenment and a certain view of knowing God but that doesn't mean that what you or I think they mean is what they are.

I haven't really gotten too much into christian mysticism but I recommend reading everything by Meister Eckhart if you haven't already done so. For myself I think Jesus's teachings are like zen koans. The truth is the truth no matter what religion or concept it falls under.

I met some people very much into the search for Enlightenment scene, maybe it was the wrong crowd, but there was no "dissolving of ego's " there!
They were quite arrogant about everything ( astral projection,dream walking, meditations, their pshycic abilities and..and..)
I decided that since I am arogant enough as it is, I am not going to search for my Higher self, hell, nobody is going to talk to me,ever!

I thank you for you recommedation (Meister Eckhart).

 

[Willamena]

Offhand, I'd guess poor in spirit refers to people who are less egotistical than is the norm.

That makes sense: those who fill themselves with spirits get very egotistical.

 

[John D]

That makes sense: those who fill themselves with spirits get very egotistical.

Amen....!!

 

[no-body]

I met some people very much into the search for Enlightenment scene, maybe it was the wrong crowd, but there was no "dissolving of ego's " there!
They were quite arrogant about everything ( astral projection,dream walking, meditations, their pshycic abilities and..and..)
I decided that since I am arogant enough as it is, I am not going to search for my Higher self, hell, nobody is going to talk to me,ever!

I thank you for you recommedation (Meister Eckhart).

Yes unfortunately I've noticed the same thing, those who are into enlightenment and new agey stuff tend to be flakey hippies. All I can say is read the material and ignore the students. You can get a lot out of readings from eastern teachings if you look beyond the preconcieved meanings, that goes for all mystical teachings really.

 

[Ringer]

My take on it is that it is those who are poor in spirit are those that have reached an understanding that without the intervention of God in their lives they are in a perpetually hopeless state. Materially you may be wealthy, but when one realizes that they are empty or poor spiritually and asks God to make them alive, they become a new creation and the Kingdom of God is given as promised.

 

[Charity]

I read the following quote: All familiar with Old Testament phraseology know how frequently God's true people are styled "the poor" (the "oppressed," "afflicted," "miserable") or "the needy"--or both together.....The explanation of this lies in the fact that it is generally "the poor of this world" who are "rich in faith"
It is a quote from a christian commentary on Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

It is kind of contradictory, is it not? If Gods people are "poor and needy" but "rich in faith" according to the commentators. My understanding is that the "poor in spirit will get the Kingdom of heaven. So it stand to reason that it won't be God's people - or at least the poor rich buggers but the rich poor buggers that will get it all.

Who can tell me - what is the meaning of : poor in spirit.?

Poor in spirit is is a contrast to the spiritually proud and people who tend to be self sufficient....

The people are meek and humble compared to the people who are self centered and tend to be haughty and think themselves better than others...

The kingdom if Heaven is not something that is earned, but a gift not just compensation for a believer.....

 

[mohammed_beiruti]

I read the following quote: All familiar with Old Testament phraseology know how frequently God's true people are styled "the poor" (the "oppressed," "afflicted," "miserable") or "the needy"--or both together.....The explanation of this lies in the fact that it is generally "the poor of this world" who are "rich in faith"
It is a quote from a christian commentary on Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

It is kind of contradictory, is it not? If Gods people are "poor and needy" but "rich in faith" according to the commentators. My understanding is that the "poor in spirit will get the Kingdom of heaven. So it stand to reason that it won't be God's people - or at least the poor rich buggers but the rich poor buggers that will get it all.

Who can tell me - what is the meaning of : poor in spirit.?

my personal opinion is that "poor in spirit means" : "Gentiles"

because gentiles (not a Jewish nation) are pagans and not rich in spirit

Mat: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

because later on he will tell them that:

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

 

[John D]

My take on it is that it is those who are poor in spirit are those that have reached an understanding that without the intervention of God in their lives they are in a perpetually hopeless state. Materially you may be wealthy, but when one realizes that they are empty or poor spiritually and asks God to make them alive, they become a new creation and the Kingdom of God is given as promised.

I tend to agree with you...
It is something that "free man" will rather avoid.