The Kingdom Belongs to the Poorest Subjects

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Alphonse Legros, Supper of the Poor, NGO Image, National Gallery of Art

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, NIV)

Kingdoms usually are governed, controlled and maintained by the wealthiest and most powerful members of the kingdom. Those in the kingdom who are poor or without means, title, and position are left to fend for themselves usually without rights, privileges or access to the finer things of the kingdom. There usually is no course of action for the poor of the kingdom to ever bring about any reversal of their position from the lowest realms of the kingdom to be part the upper ranks of the kingdom.

Thus the poor in most societies are usually considered with the lowest of respect and regard. Even though the poorest are indeed the most humble and most in need of what any kingdom could provide; they most likely would be the least likely to be given much. They might even be the hardest workers, the most diligent and loyal of all the subjects in the kingdom but this will not elevate them from their lowly place in the kingdom. Their humbleness in spirit will never be noted as a cause or reason for their inheriting the wealth of the kingdom.

How different is “The Kingdom of God,” as it is promised as an inheritance with the highest of benefits and privileges to those who are the poorest and most humble subjects in the kingdom. Those that are in the lowest of positions will indeed be those that inherit the highest positions in the kingdom. Those people, who see their great need for God and realize their total dependence upon Him, will be given the graceful riches of His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not entered or captured by riches, power or manipulations but is instead given to those desire God and His kingdom in humble state. He will indeed lift up the poorest and most humble in His Kingdom. All that is required to be part of the Kingdom of God is to acknowledge and live in such a way as to we see our need for God as the only way into His Kingdom.

Maybe Christ is simply saying in the Kingdom of God; the poorest and the most humble in their position as needing what the Kingdom brings, will indeed inherit the Kingdom? This premise fits quite remarkably with the promise of Christ that “the last shall be first.” Maybe we will be very surprised at the royalty in the eternal Kingdom of God!

Suggested Reading … “The Beatitudes of Christ” (Matthew 5:2-12)

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