Poor in Ourselves, Rich in Christ

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 3)

What does it mean to be "poor in spirit", according to what Jesus preached on the Sermon on the Mount?

When we realize that we are guilty before God (Romans 3: 19) and dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2: 1) because we have sinned, fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3: 23), then we realize that we are poor in Spirit.

We then receive His life by believing in His death on our behalf for our sins:

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 21)

and

"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 6: 10-11)

Now, we have this life through the Holy Spirit, through whom we receive the Kingdom of Heaven:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

We are also heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8: 17). Paul outlines at length the great inheritance which we have received in Christ:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)

and

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;" (Ephesians 1: 7-8)

When we see ourselves as poor in our own efforts, in our strength (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10), then indeed we can abound in the riches of Christ without fail!