Blessed are the poor? Huh? Some preachers preach we should prosper. Luke 6:20-22

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YES, YOU ARE BLESSED!!!

  Okay, let us look at Luke 6: 20-21 for a moment.  This follows yesterdays study about just touching the hem of Jesus' garment being a healing power -- the spirit.

   20 Looking at his disciples, he said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

   First, Jesus was looking at his disciples and this is not just the 12 apostles, but many disciples who are following Jesus at this time.  There is a multitude of people, but he is talking to his disciples.

   When Jesus says blessed are the poor - he is not necessarily referring to the earthly wealth only, but he is saying they gave up their secular positions to follow Him.  Sooooo, what does that mean?  The next part of the verse says: "yours is the kingdom of God".  

   These disciples have given up their secular, their worldly position to follow Jesus and will be in heaven, have eternal life.

   Again, in verses 21 and 22 Jesus is not saying you are going to starve to death or be sad always.  He is saying that the worldly things are but temporary and that one day there will be no hunger, no weeping, we will all be rejoicing in the LORD.

  Jesus is passing on eternal blessings to these disciples who gave up everything to follow HIM.  This is for you and me as well.  This does not mean go sell all your worldly possessions, live on the street, preach the word of God and beg for alms.  NO!  Jesus is saying our earthly possessions should be second, third, fourth, way on down the list; but the NUMBER 1 item should be salvation through Jesus Christ and spreading HIS word to others.

  So, now the question for you and for me is:  "IS GOD NUMBER 1 IN YOUR LIFE"?  If the answer is NO, then WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?  Thank you for reading. Love you all.  Think about Luke 6:

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny