Blessing the Poor, Part 2

Blessing the Poor, Part 2

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[1]

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.”[2]

Last week I provided a few definitions of what it means to be poor. The previous week I shared my thoughts about heaven. With that as a backdrop I now consider what Jesus might be referring to in linking the poor or the poor in spirit with the kingdom of heaven. One thing we can say with certainty, based on Jesus’ teachings and actions, is that he cared deeply for and about those who were poor,particularly the poor who lacked basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. As such, it seems inconsistent and wrong to think Jesus was implying that we needn’t worry about the poorsince they have this great reward waiting for them after they die.

True, the Bible does record him as saying, “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”[3] This was in response to the concerns of some of his disciples to a woman using a jar of costly ointment to anoint his head, foreshadowing his upcoming crucifixion. One argument given was that the ointment could’ve been sold and the money given to help the poor. He was, however, defending a woman who took mercy on him and his current situation, helping prepare his body for burial.

As I mentioned in the Life Note that introduced this current series of essays (January 8, 2026), some scholars believe these statements are not saying God will take care of the poor after they die. After all, the statements from both texts are given in the present tense. Rather, the responsibility for providing the blessing to the poor lies with us – the bystanders, the non-poor, and those with resources to spare. It is up to those of us able to help close the gap between what is needed and what is lacking and thus bring about the kingdom of heaven where no one lives in lack. The blessing, then, would fall not only on the poor people but also on those helping the poor people.

While I agree with the fact that those of us with an excess amount of resources should be sharing with those who lack needed resources, there is another way to read these passages that points to a different way of being poor. And by expressing this I in no way wish to imply that helping meet the vital, physical needs of others should not be a top priority for us. It is, and it should always be. But when we understand the kingdom of heaven as a state of consciousness in the here and now, we inevitably associate it with states of enlightenment, salvation, and elevated awareness. And we must ask: What do states of enlightenment have to do with being poor? And the answer is clear for those who give much thought to higher levels of consciousness. We must become “poor” in worldly attachments before we can rise to higher levels of awareness. Our earthly possessions and attachments tie us to earthly matters and present a major obstacle to perceiving and experiencing higher spiritual realms. For example, a few verses on in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautions, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”[4] Later, as Jesus was instructing his disciples before sending them out to teach and heal, he explicitly told them not to take money, extra clothes, or other possessions.[5] Only the bare minimum for their needs was required – any more would become a hindrance. Buddhism teaches that attachment to worldly goods or issues is at the heart of all suffering. The author of 1 Timothy writes that “…the love of money (earthly possessions) is a root of all kinds of evil.”[6] Similarly, Jesus says, “…it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven…”[7]

It is easy to get the picture and miss the point. Having an excess of money or possessions is not a bad thing; it is an opportunity for generosity. Becoming attached to possessions such that we treasure and care for them more than for people in need, making excuses not to share generously, is the problem. We prioritize things over people. We forget that we own nothing! We enter and exit the world with nothing, so whatever we possess in between is borrowed at best. Our possessions are only ours in the sense that we get to decide how best to use them. And we should make those decisions consciously and prayerfully.

Jesus correlated being poor with the kingdom of heaven, at least in part,to make clear the spiritual freedom that comes from being unencumbered by that which has no eternal significance.

This is the 4^thin a series titled Blessedness and Woe.Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Matthew 5:3

[2] Luke 6:20b

[3] Matthew 26:11

[4] Matthew 6:19-21

[5] See Matthew 10:5-10

[6] 1 Timothy 6:10

[7] Matthew 19:23