The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes of Christ
There is an old adage that says, “Your attitude determines your altitude,” which means the way you think determines how high you can succeed in life. But the mystery of the parable Jesus taught rests in having a poor person’s attitude in spirit. It’s challenging to wrap your mind around being associated with anything remotely close to poverty, because a poor person is often perceived to be addicted to substances, or so mentally ill that either no one can hire them, or they are too convinced that begging others is a better way to live.
It should not come as a surprise that Jesus knew how His audience’s minds would trigger similar thoughts about the concept of being poor. He knew that the attitude of being poor would challenge us to rearrange our material-seeking minds into the disposition of one who totally depends on someone other than ourselves and the world’s help.
The Lord’s teaching of the Beatitudes calls on the children of God to surrender every thought that considers oneself mighty enough to claim credit for what he has, but rather to boast in God and depend on God’s spiritual luxuries to supply more than what the world can offer. His invisible spiritual gifts exceed the purchasing power of a dollar, and our works will not qualify us for the loan; however, our attitude of surrendering any thought that believes our own hands make us blessed will fill our palms and bodies with abundance beyond our imagination.
This is why the Lord said, “Let this be your attitude.”
Poor in Spirit
Apostle Estella H. Hudson taught the profound parable: “Let this be your attitude.”
Be in the spiritual posture of what a poor person is on earth — a position that denounces the attitude that says, “I am too proud to beg, and if I want it, God isn’t coming to save me. I have to do it myself.”
When the Lord is your Shepherd, you understand that you will indeed work from the sweat of your brow and engage in innovation from the knowledge and wisdom in your mind, but still you will entirely depend on God for every step of the foot and every thought of the mind.
You will beg God to show you how to move in a room full of vultures, and you shall move in a way that allows you to receive the gifts of the Spirit, just as a beggar receives all that he or she can from another person who is willing to drop a few pieces of bread while on their way to bigger and better things.
The Tragedy of the Wrong Attitude
When those of us with the wrong attitude carry the banner of Christ and are appointed to manage people in worldly constructs, we end up hurting people because our heart posture places self in the same space as — or above — the throne of God.
For the Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
We fail to see God in moments when people need deliverance the most, because our attitude blocks the very vision that purity of heart is supposed to give us.
Enjoy this message brought to you by none other than Apostle Estella G. Hudson.
