Blessed Are the Poor

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

This is Luke 6:20 and 6:24.  Jesus gives four blessings and follows them with four related woes.  Let’s look at them in pairs.  

In the instance of the sermon that Matthew captured, Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit” but here it is simply the poor who are blessed.  What is the difference?  And what is so good about being poor?  First, being poor can make one grateful for things others take for granted.  Having even one meal or a spoonful of peanut butter can make one’s day.  Second, I define “poor in spirit” as having a humble and contrite heart.  Poor people are rarely arrogant, though sometimes they are angry at their situation (especially in this country).  I would suggest that the blessings of being poor in spirit are universal, where the blessings of being poor are there if you want them.  And third, being rich often leads to thinking one is self-sufficient, where poor people pray more, rely on God more, learn to trust in him.  

Americans have lost proper perspective on being poor.  This “pursuit of happiness” that has become the great American Consumerist Society has led to neighboritis that is completely unchristian.  Statistically, about 11% of the US population falls below the “poverty line”.  This means having enough to feed a family of four and is currently set at just under $30,000 per year ($82 per day).  

However, the World Bank defines Multidimensional Poverty for a family as: earning less than $2.15 per day ($785 per year), at least one school-age child up to grade 8 is not enrolled in school, no adult has completed primary education, the household lacks access to limited-standard drinking water, sanitation and electricity.  By this measure, about 13.4% of the world population lives in Poverty.  Over half the population of sub-Saharan Africa fits this description, but about 1% of Americans with about 25% of those being homeless.   

The biggest problem in the US with regard to wealth are people who think they are poor but actually are blessed with wealth that much of the world will never know.  I am speaking of the people who fall below the US definition of poverty but are well above the poorest of the poor.  But I am also speaking of the “Middle Class” and the Upper Class who seem perpetually unsatisfied with what we have.  We were not made to pursue happiness as defined by this world, for nothing will bring us happiness, joy or peace except God.  Ungratefulness leads to a lack of mercy toward anyone who has less than we do, and to be bitter toward anyone who has more, unless perhaps that person is seen as being giving and humble.  How often do I walk by a homeless person, afraid to help lest he spend my gift on drugs?  Afraid even to look him in the eye?  I don’t think it matters whether the person is poor by US standards or by World standards.  What should matter is, are they in need?  And, can I help?  “...whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matthew 25:45-46).”