Jesus said, "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?" One English translation renders it this way: "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him" (Matthew 5:3, New Living Translation, italics added).
This interpretation lines up well with the version of this passage which the Savior delivered to the multitude at the temple in Bountiful:
Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3 Nephi 12:3, italics added
So poor in spirit doesn't just mean afflicted or distressed. It means humbled. It has more to do with your attitude than with your circumstances. It means that you recognize your need for God and turn your heart to Him.
Mormon uses the phrase "poor in heart" to describe the Zoramites who were receptive to Alma's message. He distinguishes twice between their temporal poverty and their humility, while acknowledging that the latter was initiated by the former:
...being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart. ...
[They] were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.
Alma 32:3-4, italics added
Alma encouraged these people to see their poverty as a blessing. Because they were poor, and because they were rejected, they were in a position to receive God's mercy. He quickly clarifies that humility isn't always triggered by temporal poverty. "Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble" (Alma 32:16). And he expressed confidence "that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might" (Alma 32:25).
Nevertheless, our poverty of heart is often preceded by a more tangible poverty, whether it be financial burden, social rejection, a health challenge, or some other issue. When our circumstances induce an unusual level of humility, and when that humility brings us closer to God, we can be grateful for the outcome, even though we may wish the journey had been easier. "I give unto men [and women] weakness that they may be humble," Jesus explained to Moroni, "and my grace is sufficient for all men [and women] that humble themselves before me" (Ether 12:27).
Today, I will strive to be poor in heart. I will recognize that the challenges I face give me opportunities to humble myself, turn my heart to God, and receive His grace.
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