Poor
Stories
THE WONDER OF WORDS: BOOK 2
ONE-HUNDRED MORE WORDS AND PHRASES SHAPING HOW CHRISTIANS THINK AND LIVE
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," said Jesus. This is the first of an eight-verse prose poem called "The Beatitudes." In each of these eight "be-attitudes," the word "blessed" stands for the happiness which will come to you if you live by these amazing attitudes of being. The word Jesus used for poor is, in the Greek New Testament, the word "ptochos," meaning absolute poverty. Involuntary economic poverty is not being advocated by Jesus as a virtue. What Jesus is telling us is personal happiness begins when we recognize our needs and have the humility to admit our poverty of spirit. What is the significance of our needs? Our sense of need is not a sign of weakness. It is a badge of our dignity, a sign of our greatness. Needs indicate where a creature is, on the scale of existence. Rocks have no needs. Plants need water and chemicals. Amoeba need food. Savages need only a straw hut and raw food to satisfy them. Man, at his highest, needs music, books, art, companionship, meaning, and answers to satisfy his intellect.
How do we become aware of our needs? First, the problems of life make demands on us that produce a sense of inadequacy. Who can face life's demands without recognizing the need for spiritual reinforcement to meet the strain? Second, the prodigal actions of life, by ourselves and others, make us aware of moral failure. Sin produces the steel bands of habit, the haunting ghosts of guilt, and the bitter banquet of consequences. Moral failure and its aftermath make us aware of our need for divine forgiveness and a fresh start. Third, the possibilities of life give us a vision of what could be, and awaken our sense of need for courage, commitment and clear thinking. Happiness begins when a person recognizes his needs, becomes open-minded, and is willing to learn.
How do we become aware of our needs? First, the problems of life make demands on us that produce a sense of inadequacy. Who can face life's demands without recognizing the need for spiritual reinforcement to meet the strain? Second, the prodigal actions of life, by ourselves and others, make us aware of moral failure. Sin produces the steel bands of habit, the haunting ghosts of guilt, and the bitter banquet of consequences. Moral failure and its aftermath make us aware of our need for divine forgiveness and a fresh start. Third, the possibilities of life give us a vision of what could be, and awaken our sense of need for courage, commitment and clear thinking. Happiness begins when a person recognizes his needs, becomes open-minded, and is willing to learn.
