Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Matthew 13:58The ungodly are spiritually poor They lack faith Proverbs 10:21pp Mk 6:6 Isaiah 5:13; 56:10-11They lack understanding Jeremiah 5:4Hosea 4:6 1 Timothy 6:5 Ephesians 2:12 They lack God Matthew 16:26They lack eternal life Luke 12:20-21; 16:22-23James 5:1-6 pp Lk 9:25 Revelation 3:17They lack knowledge of their spiritual poverty Amos 8:11Spiritual poverty may be a judgment See also Psalms 51:11; 74:9Lamentations 2:9 Ezekiel 7:26 Matthew 13:14-15 Revelation 2:5 Psalms 40:17 The godly are aware of their poverty See also David recognised that he was poor and needy Psalms 34:6; 35:10; 70:5; 86:1; 109:22Romans 7:18 See also Others recognise their spiritual poverty Job 42:6Psalms 8:3-4 Luke 5:8; 7:6 Romans 7:24 Matthew 5:3 Those who know that they are poor will be blessed by God God will satisfy the poor in spirit See also Matthew 5:6pp Lk 6:20-21 Psalms 116:6God will save the poor in spirit Psalms 51:17Isaiah 66:2 God will accept the poor in spirit Psalms 34:18Isaiah 57:15 God will be close to the poor in spirit Psalms 102:17God will hear the prayers of the poor in spirit James 4:6,101 Peter 5:5-6 God will give grace to the poor in spirit Proverbs 3:34Isaiah 61:1 Luke 1:53 God will meet the needs of the poor in spirit Psalms 37:16Spiritual riches are better than material riches Proverbs 15:16-17; 16:8; 19:1,22; 28:6Poverty with righteousness is better Proverbs 16:16; 19:1,22; 28:6Poverty with wisdom is better Proverbs 16:19Poverty with humility is better Proverbs 17:1Poverty with peace and quiet are better James 1:9Spiritual riches exalt the poor Hebrews 10:34; 11:37-401 Peter 1:4 Spiritual riches endure 2 Corinthians 6:10James 2:5 Spiritual riches more than compensate for material poverty Revelation 2:9See also 1620 beatitudes, the5580 thirst 5801 brokenness 8276 humility 8808 riches |
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