God’s Favor Is on the Poor in Spirit

In this teaching on the first Beatitude, Dr. Josh Olds unpacks what Jesus means when he says, “God’s favor is on the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Rather than equating “poor in spirit” with weak will, low self-esteem, or a dreary personality, Josh shows that Jesus is offering a radically countercultural vision of spirituality in the Sermon on the Mount. In a world that preaches self-sufficiency, confidence, and spiritual “richness” as the goal, Jesus blesses those who know their deep need for God and refuse to build their lives on their own ego, power, or success.

Josh contrasts secular humanism’s belief that “we must save ourselves” and Hellenistic religion’s pursuit of spiritual fullness with the biblical call to a humble dependence on the Holy Spirit. He traces this theme through Moses’ reluctance in Exodus, Leonard Black’s testimony as an enslaved person-turned-preacher, and Jesus’ warnings to impressive but spiritually empty leaders in Matthew 7 and the wealthy church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Throughout, Josh emphasizes that being poor in spirit is recognizing our spiritual poverty apart from God, rejecting self-sufficiency, and opening ourselves to the overabundant wealth of God’s Spirit. Those who confess their need—rather than boast in their strength—are the ones who truly belong to the kingdom of heaven and find their place in the community of God.

---