Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5450 poverty, spiritual

5450 poverty, spiritual

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

Matthew 13:58 pp Mark 6:6

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

Ephesians 2:12

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

Revelation 3:17

Spiritual poverty may be a judgment

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

Psalm 116:6

God will accept the poor in spirit

Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 66:2

God will be close to the poor in spirit

Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15

God will hear the prayers of the poor in spirit

Psalm 102:17

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

Isaiah 61:1; Luke 1:53

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

Proverbs 16:19

Poverty with peace and quiet are better

Proverbs 17:1

Spiritual riches exalt the poor

James 1:9

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