How do we know that being poor in spirit is crucial for salvation?

The necessity of being poor in spirit for salvation is rooted in our understanding of sin and grace. As the preacher notes, all believers experience a recognition that they can offer nothing to recommend themselves to God. This inner awareness of poverty of spirit opens the heart to the gospel of grace. It is impossible to accept the good news of Jesus unless one acknowledges their spiritual poverty. Those who realize their need for salvation and the sufficiency of Christ's atonement are the ones offered the riches of the kingdom of heaven, as stated in Matthew 5:3.