What does the Bible say about being poor in spirit?

The Bible, particularly in Matthew 5:3, teaches that being poor in spirit is a state of recognizing our spiritual neediness and reliance on God's grace. This beatitude, part of the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizes that those who are spiritually bankrupt, acknowledging their shortcomings and inability to earn God's favor, are blessed. Jesus exemplifies this state through His own humility and sacrifice. It highlights that true blessedness does not come from self-sufficiency but from a complete dependence on Christ's righteousness and mercy.