Bible Passage: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
What does winning in life look like for you?
At some point, all men have a picture of a life that will make us happy. It probably involves being with the woman of your dreams, becoming a dad, having a fulfilling career, and enjoying your hobbies, friends, and other things on your bucket list.
Most men share a standard definition of what winning means in life, but Jesus would say there is so much more.
In Matthew 5, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount, His manifesto of what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
He starts with a series of statements using the word “Blessed,” which means “happy, blissful, or to be enlarged” (and He is not talking about your waistline).
Jesus wants you to find true happiness and joy in your soul. Amazingly, the Creator of the universe and the smartest Man in the room wants to give guys like you and me the secret to winning in life.
The very first thing Jesus says is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Wait. The path to winning starts with poverty? That makes no sense.
No, Jesus is not telling you to quit your job. He qualifies the type of poverty that leads to happiness: spiritual poverty.
Tim Keller compares the “poor in spirit” with the “middle class” in spirit. The “poor in spirit” see themselves as deeply in debt before God with no ability to redeem themselves. The “middle class in spirit” believe God owes them some things—He ought to answer prayers and bless you for good things you’ve done. The success and resources you have are ultimately due to God rewarding your own efforts.
Jesus is teaching us that winning in life requires humility before God.
The challenge is that many of us have been raised to believe in ourselves. This foundational belief leads us to pride and keeps us from being poor in spirit. If I can do all things, then why do I need God?
This week, we will unpack more about what it means to be a humble man in a world that wants you to take pride in all you have accomplished.
Jesus wants you to win in life. Will you trust Him to show you the way?
Prayer: Lord, help me to believe Your desire is for my true happiness. Reveal where I have been “middle class in spirit” and help me pursue the humility that will allow me to become “poor in spirit.” Amen.
Reflection: Before today, what would your definition of “winning in life” have been? How does Jesus’ view of finding happiness by being “poor in spirit” compare to what you have believed to be true?
Copyright © 2025 Impactus. All rights reserved.
About
