What does the Bible say about the poor in spirit?

In the New Testament, the term 'poor' appears 35 times, signifying not just a lack of money, but a deep sense of destitution. Jesus proclaims in Matthew 5:3, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' This counterintuitive blessing emphasizes that those who recognize their spiritual poverty are the ones who truly inherit God's kingdom. It highlights the stark contrast between worldly standards of wealth and the spiritual richness found in humility and dependence upon God.