My father-in-law is fondly remembered in his family for his expression “I have been richly blessed”. In his later years especially, at family gatherings he would show great emotion and gratitude for his family, his wife and his life by saying that. Isn’t that way we all perceive God’s blessings? We want healthy and happy families, a good life with good friends, enjoying the goodness and bounty of the this world that God has created for us! And certainly, in many ways, God does bless us with wonderful things in life! 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. -James 1:17 (ESV)

However, when we look at the teaching of Jesus, we see that God’s idea of “blessing” is much more centered on our ethics, character, and actions than on what he will give us in this life. Pastor Rick Warren said “God is much more concerned about your character than he is about your comfort”. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about “blessing” in what is called the Beatitudes:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:3-12 (ESV)
According to Jesus, God blesses us when we think and act like Jesus did! When we are poor in spirit, realizing our total need and dependence on God, we are blessed; when we mourn our sins and those of the world, God will comfort us; when we are gentle and kind, we will inherit God’s Kingdom; when we thirst for right relationships with God & others, we will be satisfied; when we are merciful and compassionate, God will show us mercy; when our hearts and pure and sincere, we will see God in our lives; when we try to reconcile broken relationships and bring peace, we will be called sons & daughters of God; and finally, when we are persecuted and have evil things said about us because we are Christians and focus on God and his Kingdom, we will be blessed and we should be glad!

Wow! That’s pretty tough stuff to live up to! The last “blessing” of persecution is somewhat foreign to many of us Christians in America. We have enjoyed a unique 200 or so years of a culture that has in many ways embraced at least some of Christian teaching, but now, just like Christians in the rest of the world, we are beginning to face a much more hostile and secular culture that doesn’t really want to hear the true teachings of Jesus. Jesus warned us about persecution, and virtually every generation of Christians has faced it! Peter warns of this: 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.-1 Peter 4:12(ESV) Jesus tells us to be glad, not because we relish persecution or bad things said about us, but because our suffering can strengthen our character and make us more like Jesus himself!

How then should we live, knowing that we may face persecution and hatred? How can we focus on future blessings of the Kingdom, knowing that we may not experience all the good results in this world that we had hoped for? We are to have the same heart and mind as Jesus, treating others with compassion and living in a way that will draw others toward Jesus and his forgiveness and offer of new life! Peter says,
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. -1 Peter 3:14-17 (ESV)

The bottom line is this: Jesus is calling us to seek and focus on His Kingdom, not just the “good stuff” of this world. As Christians, we live with one foot in this world and one foot in the coming Kingdom of God, and we need to remember that the rewards of the Kingdom are astronomically better than anything we can have here. So, hold on to this world lightly, but hold on to God’s hand tightly!