…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
These are strange words to middle-class American ears. Yet they are the opening words of the most famous sermon ever preached by the most famous preacher ever to walk the Earth. What do they mean?
They mean the kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of poverty. If you are following Jesus for money, you will be disappointed. That is not what he is about.
They mean the so-called prosperity gospel that is preached on our TVs is a load of crap. Telling people that God expects them to be wealthy, and will make them wealthy, is a lie from hell. It is a particularly American heresy that, unfortunately, we have exported to other lands. Even a casual reading of the New Testament will reveal that the “health and wealth” teachers are peddling the opposite of truth.
They mean that Matthew 5:3 is not just the first beatitude. It is not only the front door to God’s kingdom; it is the foundation of the house and the walls of every room. It is the jarring declaration from Heaven of this uncomfortable truth:
God only receives beggars.
Why? Is he some proud lord who loves to rule over, and feel superior to all us poor serfs? No, of course not. It is because of the simple honesty of beggars. Beggars see their need and embrace it. Beggars know they are beggars; they do not pretend to be anything else. Their entire approach to reality is one of asking for mercy because they have nothing to offer in return. No bargaining. No trade. No tit-for-tat. No entitlement. Just a recognition of their own need of grace.
Look around today. We all desperately need the kingdom of heaven. We do not deserve it. We are not owed it. Yet, it is freely given to us if we recognize our need and ask for it. Our wealth, our standing, our accomplishments; they all mean nothing when confronted with unspeakable glory. Lay aside your own glory. Admit you are poor, blind, naked, and in desperate need of nourishment, sight, and raiment. It is not my 401K that will keep me out of the kingdom, it is my pride.
I go to church, and I write my check, and I sing.
But what causes the poor to sing,
when the poor have nothing to bring?
Gratitude, that’s what. Glorious gratitude to a God who freely embraces them, not in spite, but because they are not trading. They are not dealing, or calculating what they owe, or are owed by this God. They just love him and expect good things from him, like a child with a father. Because, at the end of the day, he is not looking for poor people, or rich people. He is looking for sons and daughters.
It means when we are standing before the one who is the actual owner of everything, we are all poor.