Article July 7, 1928 Issue

"Blessed are the poor in spirit"

HARRY EDWARD DE LASAUX, JR.

The fourth chapter of Matthew tells of Jesus' overcoming of the various temptations of the devil, or carnal mind, and of his selecting Peter and Andrew, James and John, to be his followers. After this, Jesus went through Galilee preaching, and healing the ills of the people. So great was the fame of his healing works that multitudes followed him "from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan."

Truly it was an eager multitude that sought Jesus wherever he went. And discerning their need, he healed them. There has come to mankind a simple, clear account of his teaching, embodied in the New Testament under the familiar title of the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon are found plain statements, immortalized by the name of "Beatitudes," whose wondrous message is for all time and for all mankind—from the youngest member of the Sunday school to the most advanced student of Christian metaphysics.

The first beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven," is fundamental to the gaining of spiritual understanding as revealed in Christian Science. Unless one be "poor in spirit," he cannot receive the revelation of Truth and Love, however much of the letter he may seem to have. And, conversely, if one be "poor in spirit," he is ready for good, and his progress will be in proportion to his understanding. "Poor in spirit" does not mean that the student must be poor in material circumstances. Christian Science teaches that with an abundant sense of God's goodness there comes an abundant provision for the needs of mankind, and that to demonstrate abundance one's thinking must abound with pure spiritual ideas.

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