Poor in spirit means that you feel you have no moral riches and are in need. You feel
you need 'spiritual' life. 'Poor' (πτωχός) used in this verse means 'reduced to being a beggar'. Actually it should have been opposite the people who are rich in spirit should have inherited the Kingdom of God but our Lord speaks the opposite. This makes sense as we confirm its meaning by comparing other statements of Jesus, for he often said the same things in many ways.
In Luke 16:19-31 In Jesus acceptance of Lazarus many believers teach that in this story, Jesus was offering His hearers a glimpse of what existence in the afterlife is like. Others, citing numerous passages of Scripture that seem to contradict the portrayal of heaven and hell contained in this passage, feel that Jesus was teaching an altogether different kind of lesson. Unfortunately, many modern religious teachers have isolated the story from its original context and used it as a device for scaring people. Religious “conversions” resulting from a fear of hell as it is depicted in this passage have indeed occurred, but are based on a foundation sorely in need of the strength that comes only from a genuine appreciation of God’s character and a proper understanding of Scripture.
But the Verse 14 says, “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” He was speaking about hypocrites who are rich in themselves. Their main work is to condemn other fellow believers to cover up their own faults. They get a kind of satisfaction in speaking self-righteousness. It will lead them to self-righteous-mess because their life is in a mess and Christ calls them as hypocrites.
They were always around to condemn or accuse Him. There are many examples in the holy scriptures of their actions ending in the crucification of our Lord. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (NIV Mark 2:16-17) This is called as spiritual pride and this was the main reason why they could not recognize the Messiah. Jesus’ prayer in Luke 10:21 mention about it, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hath revealed them unto babes.” They are rich in spirit and will fail to recognize or gain the kingdom of God.
Hypocrites will hoard the truth to show that they are religious, pious and righteous. The pharisees had hoarded the truth, and in so doing, they had corrupted themselves. Only moments before relating this parable, Jesus had rebuked the Pharisees for their spiritual conceit. “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:1 hey will despise the poor and say that they are sinners and harlots. The Jews had enjoyed “the good life” while on earth but had done nothing to bless or enrich their neighbors. No further reward was due. “Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.” Luke 6:24, 25.
Conversely, the poor in spirit, symbolized by Lazarus, would inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Gentiles who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled. The “dogs” and sinners, so despised by the self-righteous Pharisees, would enter heaven before they would. “Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31. The poor in spirit will feel their insufficiency and will depend on the sufficiency of Christ.
Those who feel they are sinful or 'morally sick' and so cry out to Jesus to be saved, are 'poor in spirit' thus they are the ones and only ones that inherit God's kingdom. Those who are self righteous are morally confidant and rich, these Jesus can not save.
This makes sense that Jesus would make this the first attitude of a Christian because it is by being poor in spirit or 'reduced to being a beggar'. That you actually 'begin' the Christian life with this explains why it is the first be-attitude. It also fits and explains the second attitude of mourning which is the other side of the same coin. It naturally follows for a Christian once recognizing his poverty due to sin, he will mourn on account of it.
God will make happy, or 'bless' such people with inexpressible spiritual riches and joy.
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