What Is the Result of Spiritual Bankruptcy?

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

Today’s big question: what is the result of spiritual bankruptcy?

The investment market is volatile and uncertain, yet millions of Americans have pinned their hopes on the prospect that there will be more ups than downs and eventually money will compound to give a positive return. Nearly every day, we hear tales of victory or loss in the financial markets. The evening news runs stories of someone who may have made a fortune by floating their company or lost millions of dollars through crashing markets or scandalous scamming. People enter the markets for profit, but I have never met a sensible person who actually wants to be bankrupt.

Yesterday we saw that in the light of God’s glory, our spirit is at the lowest of lows—completely bankrupt. Our state before God would be hopeless without His mighty and gracious solution of salvation through Christ. But the result is exceedingly glorious.

The kingdom of heaven is found only in Christ. It is His kingdom. This is a kingdom inherited by sinners casting their bankrupt, hopeless situation before the only One who can turn it into a rich and hopeful situation. Just think: heaven will be filled with bankrupts. Every person in heaven will be a bankrupt turned into an heir of eternal riches.

Amazingly, we have access to that kingdom right now. Thanks to the completed work of Jesus Christ, who is exalted and reigning, we are partakers of that kingdom. What a thrill to know that we not only have access to His kingdom, but we shall also reign with Christ.

Since this kingdom is gained when a bankrupt spirit calls upon God, how did it originally come about?

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

The riches of the kingdom of heaven are available to us because our God came to live among a poverty-stricken humanity and He endured the burden of our sin on the Cross. It is through the poverty of our Savior that we will be raised to His exalted glory. This is a glory that lasts for ever and ever.

This is the ultimate result of the first revealing step of spiritual bankruptcy—a bankruptcy that leads to true riches. What a contrast to the people in this world who focus their attention one earthly riches, which result in eternal bankruptcy.

Today’s big idea: those who become spiritually bankrupt can become rich through Christ.

What to pray: Lord, help me to gaze upon your rich and glorious prize.