How do we know that the wicked are poor in spirit?

The recognition of spiritual poverty is essential for understanding the condition of the wicked. They possess nothing that brings eternal satisfaction or value, as they are depicted in Matthew 18:24 as being in great debt to God's justice without means to repay it. Their spiritual lack extends beyond material wealth; it highlights their inability to act righteously or redeem themselves. The riches of grace are available only when one acknowledges their destitute state, leading to reliance on Christ's atoning sacrifice, who became poor that we might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).