"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3 NIV).
The first public sermon that Jesus preached is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It begins with what are known as the Beatitudes. This, the first of the Beatitudes, sets the foundation as to the kind of followers God has always sought after. He searches for those who are spiritually impoverished, those who are willing to deny the "self" and trust in Him for everything we hope to be and for everything we need.
After studying the teachings of David Martin-Lloyd Jones, Greg Huffer's eyes were opened, as upon gaining understanding of each beatitude, particularly the first, a greater insight can be gained to the nature of one's Christian life as well as a basic principle that is found throughout all of Scripture. In a desire to help others understand, he created The Poverty Principle.
This study delves into unlocking understanding of each of the Beatitudes, how they are arranged, and how they relate to one another, to the rest of Jesus's Sermon, and even throughout the Bible. As readers gain understanding, they will relate to how difficult it is to deny one's self, but will discover ways to find joy and glory in embracing spiritual poverty and how it leads to experiencing all of the riches that Jesus offers for this life and the life to come.
Greg Huffer has served in the pastorate and on the mission field in Mexico for nearly two decades. He has studied and taught on the Beatitudes for over ten years and writes to share the insights he has learned with others seeking to grow in their intimacy with Jesus. Greg currently lives with his wife, Cathy, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They have three grown sons, Ben, Luke and Mark, and a beautiful yellow Lab, Maizey. He enjoys hiking, painting, reading, and traveling.
