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Day 26 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Poor people don’t feel blessed. They feel overlooked by the world, shunned, bullied, and treated badly by everyone who sees them. Instead of feeling blessed, they feel hopeless. Jesus wasn’t talking about poverty when He said, blessed are the poor in spirit. He referred to an attitude of humbleness. A humble spirit is one who knows joy in the simple pleasures of life. Instead of focusing on honor, fame, and glory as those with wealth and status, they were ready to accept the blessings that come from a humble life. As Christians, you are not to seek your blessings in poverty. Many of the early church orders considered it a blessing to give up all earthly wealth and took pride in their poverty. They twisted the meaning of what Jesus said. It wasn’t in giving up wealth, but in being humble. Taking pride in poverty would not bring a blessing. You are not to resign yourself to your fate. Pride and fate do not lead to blessings. Instead, they lead to poverty in your spirit. True humbleness of spirit leads one to the path of righteousness. You see your blessings and count it all joy when you submit your spirit to God. For when you submit to God, you will receive far more than those who pride themselves on what they give up for the gospel. You receive the kingdom of heaven. Do not look at your poverty as a means of gaining eternal life. Instead, humble yourself in God’s sight and He will exalt you to a place of honor in His kingdom. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (NKJV) 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Blessed are the humble in spirit, for theirs, is the kingdom of heaven. Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. (NKJV) Let’s pray: Father, too often pride gets in the way of my blessings. It isn’t pride, honor, or glory that brings Your blessings, but a humble attitude. Help me live my life with a humble spirit, knowing that Your blessings will come to me when I submit myself to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 8 August 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.