The Call to Poverty of Spirit
As part of our goal to stop end-time confusion and see the Bride prepared for Jesus’ return, we periodically share articles which we feel are relevant and timely. Ministry partner and good friend Gregory Gallimore discusses here the wisdom of embracing poverty of spirit in the days before Jesus returns. Tom Grossman Sr.
It is common for us as Christians to remind ourselves that the Kingdom of God is coming. In fact, this truth comes to mind more and more often as we confront the increasing darkness of these last days. However, not only is the Kingdom coming, it is in fact, already here—if we will but lean into it.
The poor in spirit
The first point in Jesus’ first public message, the “Sermon on the Mount,” unequivocally states how we can enter into the Kingdom at this present moment.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (NASB)
Interestingly, the next six beatitudes speak of heart postures that will be rewarded in the future. But those who embrace poverty of spirit can enter into the Kingdom of God in this age.
What is poverty of spirit, and how can I engage in it?
Genuine poverty of spirit requires us to acknowledge that we really can’t do anything without God. This heart posture demands that we elevate trust in God above whatever else we might attempt to substitute. For example, we can easily get in the habit of relying upon, or trusting, our experience, education, financial status, relational connections, and natural giftings such as charisma, intellect and artistic gifting, substituting trust in these for trust in God Himself.
Submission to God’s will
Poverty of spirit requires submission to God’s will. The rich young ruler in Luke 19 struggled with embracing God’s will and trusting Him. This young man’s default setting was self-reliance, yet Jesus knew that life in His kingdom would require reliance upon God regardless of any natural endowment.
Even prosperity can be a hinderance
Our position as prosperous Westerners frequently is a hindrance for entering a consistent lifestyle embracing poverty of spirit. The reality is that we can carry on in life without trusting in God, instead trusting in money to meet our financial needs, medicine to care for our bodies, education to function in professional settings, people skills for human interactions, or experience to guide our decision making. Many spirit-filled Christians and even ministers live seemingly blessed lives functioning this way. Yet this is not the life Jesus exhorts us to embrace.
Embrace dependence and submission
We need to make a conscious decision to embrace dependence on God in every aspect of our lives. There is no need to relinquish our natural abilities, only to submit them to God’s will and acknowledge that He truly is our source. Whatever skills and giftings we carry simply flow from the generosity of His hand, not our own merit or goodness.
The season of training
The Church is in a training season for the challenging times that await. In the days to come, trusting in the Lord and living in poverty of spirit will become the only viable option. Let’s not squander this opportunity to enter into the authentic Kingdom lifestyle in the present moment.
