5450 poverty, spiritual

The lack of spiritual riches and gifts is seen by Scripture as an especially distressing cause of poverty. Awareness of spiritual poverty leads to a turning towards God in order to receive the riches he graciously offers through the gospel.

The ungodly are spiritually poor

They lack faith Mt 13:58 pp Mk 6:6

They lack understanding Pr 10:21; Isa 5:13; Isa 56:10-11; Jer 5:4; Hos 4:6; 1Ti 6:5

They lack God Eph 2:12

They lack eternal life Mt 16:26 pp Lk 9:25; Lk 12:20-21; Lk 16:22-23; Jas 5:1-6

They lack knowledge of their spiritual poverty Rev 3:17

Spiritual poverty may be a judgment

Am 8:11 See also Ps 51:11; Ps 74:9; La 2:9; Eze 7:26; Mt 13:14-15; Rev 2:5

The godly are aware of their poverty

David recognised that he was poor and needy Ps 40:17 See also Ps 34:6; Ps 35:10; Ps 70:5; Ps 86:1; Ps 109:22

Others recognise their spiritual poverty Ro 7:18 See also Job 42:6; Ps 8:3-4; Lk 5:8; Lk 7:6; Ro 7:24

Those who know that they are poor will be blessed by God

God will satisfy the poor in spirit Mt 5:3 pp Lk 6:20-21 See also Mt 5:6

God will save the poor in spirit Ps 116:6

God will accept the poor in spirit Ps 51:17; Isa 66:2

God will be close to the poor in spirit Ps 34:18; Isa 57:15

God will hear the prayers of the poor in spirit Ps 102:17

God will give grace to the poor in spirit Jas 4:6,10; 1Pe 5:5-6; Pr 3:34

God will meet the needs of the poor in spirit Isa 61:1; Lk 1:53

Spiritual riches are better than material riches

Poverty with righteousness is better Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16-17; Pr 16:8; Pr 19:1,22; Pr 28:6

Poverty with wisdom is better Pr 16:16; Pr 19:1,22; Pr 28:6

Poverty with humility is better Pr 16:19

Poverty with peace and quiet are better Pr 17:1

Spiritual riches exalt the poor Jas 1:9

Spiritual riches endure Heb 10:34; Heb 11:37-40; 1Pe 1:4

Spiritual riches more than compensate for material poverty 2Co 6:10; Jas 2:5; Rev 2:9

See also