The word ptōchoi in the Beatitudes is not tied to wealth. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” is not addressed only to those who are materially poor, but also to those who are powerless, even if they are strong in material terms. Why do the rich find it hard to enter heaven? Because when they feel strong, their wealth becomes their reliance and source of strength; cursed then are those who rely on human strength, on their own power, or on power outside of God. Pride can arise from several foundations. First, from those who do not acknowledge that their existence is from God. Second, pride can arise in someone who feels able to live without God.
But if we honestly look at life’s facts, we cannot be arrogant. A person may have a lot of money, yet many events occur beyond prediction; humans are very limited in their ability to predict them. Even with financial strength, remember that it cannot answer eternal needs. Pride stems from the unawareness that one’s existence is only by God’s grace. Pride also stems from the feeling of being able to live independently. It cannot be denied that those who have money will feel capable of facing life because of its power; money also carries extraordinary social power.
Unnoticed, someone with monetary power, living and proving that money can solve everything, will have a soul-rhythm—accustomed to seeing everything solvable by the money they own—that assumes they can handle all things. Yet eternal needs cannot be met with money. Perhaps in old age they begin to give to churches, build houses of worship, start foundations, give alms, but that does not answer the essential issue, because salvation is the restoration of humans to God’s original design, and this cannot be achieved by bribing God.
To avoid becoming proud, we must always remember two things: First, many events can occur beyond our prediction. However, if we are held in God’s hand, we believe that we will be safe forever. Therefore, fellowship with God is everything. Even if our condition is like an egg on the tip of a horn, as long as God holds us, we remain safe. Second, only God can answer our eternal needs, so we can truly say, “Apart from You, I desire nothing on earth.”
The phrase “poor in spirit”—from the original ptōchoi tō pneumati (πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι)—can be freely translated as poor in spirit. That verse indirectly discourages people from associating this with material blessings. The word ptōchoi itself has a broader meaning than the earlier penichrós and pénēs.
But first, we must understand what basileia tōn ouranōn (βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν), translated as the Kingdom of Heaven, means. What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? Besides Matthew’s wording being aimed at Jewish readers who respectfully avoid using the name “YHWH” literally, the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” points more to the manifestation of the Lord’s kingdom in the new heaven and earth.
Of course, the two phrases do not differ significantly, since both share one element: the reign of God. Both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven share a central element—the rule of God, in which God reigns as the supreme Sovereign. Yet it should be emphasized again that the use of the word “Heaven” points more to the atmosphere or to His physical manifestation as well as His reign. In contrast, the Kingdom of God points more to God’s governance and order, which is not only to be realized later but also now.