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I. SOME THINGS WHICH MUST BE REJECTED as not intended by Christ. It is not a mere peculiarity of temperament — not the obsequiousness and meanness often associated with poverty — not the simple fact of being poor-not voluntary religious poverty.

II. THE FEATURES of spiritual poverty.

1. The conditions: In a spiritual sense all are poor.

2. The state of mind — poor in spirit, implying great humbling — difficult of attainment, so repugnant to the flesh, so opposed to our fancied excellence.

III. THE BLESSING PROMISED. It is the spirit in which the kingdom is to be received (Matthew 18:1-5). Is the spirit of the Master (Philippians 2:1-12). Blessed with all the titles and riches of the kingdom (James 2:5). Is the essence of a filial spirit.

(W. Barker.)Blessedness is the perfection of a rational creature; it is the whetstone of a Christian's industry; the height of his ambition; the flower of his joy; the desire of all men.

I. Let us so deport ourselves that we may express to others that we do believe a blessedness to come, by seeking after an interest in God, and that our union with God and the chief good makes us blessed.

II. Let us proclaim to the world that we believe in blessedness to come, by living blessed lives; walk as become the heirs of blessedness. Let us lead blessed lives, and so declare plainly that we seek a country (Hebrews 11:14).

(Thomas Watson.)You may as well expect fruit to grow without a root, as the other graces without this; till a man be poor in spirit he cannot mourn.

I. Till we are poor in spirit we are not capable of receiving grace.

1. God doth first empty a man of himself, before He pours in the precious wine of His grace.

2. None but the poor in spirit are within Christ's commission.

II. Till we are poor in spirit, Christ is never precious.

(1) Before we see our own wants we never see(2) Christ's worth.

(3) He that wants bread, and is ready to starve, will have it, whatever it cost; bread he must have, or he is undone;

(4) So to him that is poor in spirit, that sees his want of Christ, how precious is the Saviour

III. Till we are poor in spirit we cannot go to heaven.

(1) The great cable cannot go through the eye of the needle, but let it be untwisted and made into small threads, then it may.

(2) Poverty of spirit untwists the great cable;

(3) Makes a man little in his own eyes, and now an entrance shall be made unto him.

(Thomas Watson.)

I. He that is poor in spirit is weaned from himself.

1. The vine catcheth hold of everything that is near, to stay itself upon. There is some bough or other, a man would be catching hold of to rest upon; how hard it is to be brought quite off himself.

II. He that is poor in spirit is a Christ-admirer.

1. He sees himself wounded, and, as the wounded deer runs to the water, so he thirsts for the water of life.

2. "Lord," saith he, "give me Christ, or I die."

III. He that is poor in spirit is ever complaining of his spiritual estate.

1. He ever complains, "I want a broken heart, a thankful heart."

2. He mourns he hath on more grace.

IV. He that is poor in spirit is lowly in heart.

1. Submissive.

2. He blusheth more at the defects of his graces, than others do at the excess of their sins.

V. He that is poor in spirit is much in prayer.

1. Ever begging for spiritual alms.

2. Will not away from the gate, till he have his dole.

VI. The poor in spirit is content to take Christ upon His own terms.

1. Sees himself lost without Christ.

2. Willing to have Him upon His own terms.

VII. He that is poor in spirit is an exalter of free grace.

1. He blesses God for the least crumb that falls from the table of free grace.

2. He magnifies mercy, and is thankful.

(Thomas Watson.)

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KJV: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

WEB: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.