Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5446 poverty » 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 They lack understanding Proverbs 10:21; Isaiah 5:13; Isaiah 56:10-11; Jeremiah 5:4; Hosea 4:6; 1 Timothy 6:5 They lack God They lack eternal life Matthew 16:26 pp Luke 9:25; Luke 12:20-21; Luke 16:22-23; James 5:1-6 They lack knowledge of their spiritual poverty Spiritual poverty may be a judgment Amos 8:11 See also Psalm 51:11; Psalm 74:9; Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26; Matthew 13:14-15; Revelation 2:5 The godly are aware of their poverty David recognised that he was poor and needy Psalm 40:17 See also Psalm 34:6; Psalm 35:10; Psalm 70:5; Psalm 86:1; Psalm 109:22 Others recognise their spiritual poverty Romans 7:18 See also Job 42:6; Psalm 8:3-4; Luke 5:8; Luke 7:6; Romans 7:24 Those who know that they are poor will be blessed by God God will satisfy the poor in spirit Matthew 5:3 pp Luke 6:20-21 See also Matthew 5:6 God will save the poor in spirit God will accept the poor in spirit God will be close to the poor in spirit God will hear the prayers of the poor in spirit God will give grace to the poor in spirit James 4:6,10; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Proverbs 3:34 God will meet the needs of the poor in spirit Spiritual riches are better than material riches Poverty with righteousness is better Psalm 37:16; Proverbs 15:16-17; Proverbs 16:8; Proverbs 19:1,22; Proverbs 28:6 Poverty with wisdom is better Proverbs 16:16; Proverbs 19:1,22; Proverbs 28:6 Poverty with humility is better Poverty with peace and quiet are better Spiritual riches exalt the poor Spiritual riches endure Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:37-40; 1 Peter 1:4 Spiritual riches more than compensate for material poverty 2 Corinthians 6:10; James 2:5; Revelation 2:9 See also
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