Good Poverty

At least 80 percent of people around the world live on less than $10 a day. The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for just five percent of global income. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of the world’s income. And according to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. Children are often the quiet sufferers in poverty.

They die quietly in some of the poorest villages on Earth, far from the awareness and conscience of the world. Being weak and meek in life makes these dying masses even more invisible in death. Measles, malaria, and diarrhea are the three biggest killers of children, and they are all preventable. HIV/AIDS has created more than 14 million orphans; 92 percent of them live in Africa.

So how could Jesus say, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20)? Doesn’t Christ have a heart for the poor, especially children? Jesus absolutely cares about the underprivileged. He spent almost all of His ministry reaching out in kindness and love to the sick and dying. Then what does Christ mean when He says, “Blessed are you poor”?

Our Lord is not speaking of physical poverty, but of spiritual poverty. In other words, the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who recognize that there is nothing they can bring to God to ensure salvation except their outstretched hands. No works, no money, no pilgrimages, no “nothing,” will impress God to save you. When we stand before the Lord, we are all “dirt poor.” And that’s a good thing, because to acknowledge our great spiritual need is the first step in receiving God’s free gift of salvation.

Key Bible Texts

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5 KJV)