Declaring Bankruptcy
July 29, 2024
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
Did you know that this single verse can revolutionize your life?
Today’s passage is the very first beatitude, in Jesus’ most famous sermon. Here Jesus blesses the “poor in spirit”. Who are the “poor in spirit”? The word used here for “poor” describes a beggar crouching low to the ground, seeking assistance. But, Jesus is not referring to financial poverty here.
To be poor in spirit, you approach the King of Kings as a spiritual beggar. Jesus says: Blessed are the beggars and the bankrupt. No matter how good you think you are, when you come before a perfect, holy, righteous God your moral bank account is empty. You are morally bankrupt without God.
To find significance and satisfaction in life, you must first declare spiritual bankruptcy.
You might be wondering if you are bankrupt? Maybe you are just now finding your relationship with God. Or, maybe you have been a believer for a very long time.
I want to encourage you today, I have been a Christian since the age of nine and I’ve realized one thing: I am just as bankrupt as everyone else. The closer I get to Jesus, the more I appreciate amazing grace, because I don’t deserve it. No one does.
You cannot say enough, pay enough or even pray enough to please God. That’s why this message comes first in the beatitudes – it is the foundation of all the other beatitudes.
Importantly, Jesus is speaking to believers here, not unbelievers. In other words, Jesus is not teaching us how to become a Christian, but how to behave like one; this is how a Christian should look and live.
You will not be a Christian, look like a Christian, or live like a Christian until you admit you are a bankrupt beggar. To receive the blessing of God, admit you are bankrupt without Him.
And from one beggar to another, He is the only bread that truly satisfies.
Prayer: Father, I admit I am a bankrupt beggar. You are the Bread of Life and you satisfy my deepest longings of significance, satisfaction and security. Teach me to be poor in spirit, for I know that as I declare bankruptcy before You, You give me everything You have.