Greatest Blessing of All
What constitutes a blessing in your mind? Is it a huge financial inheritance? There are various biblical characters who had great wealth. Some may have inherited a good deal of it and felt blessed – and rightly so. Some may have done well in business as a result of God blessing their efforts. That obviously is a good thing and constitutes a great blessing.
Wealth, however, can also be a great curse. The Apostle Paul warned, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9-10). It obviously all comes down to our attitude. If wealth is what we love, if it is the “blessing of all blessings” in our mind, we’ll fail to see all the many blessings that come our way daily. In that case, God will be displaced and that wealth will become a curse.
Christ put emphasis on the blessings that money cannot buy in the beatitudes. He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:8-11). In all the beatitudes, including the first seven, the word “blessed” means supremely blessed; by extension fortunate, well off, blessed and happy. These blessings do not offer the carnal, instant gratification of money. Rather, they show an understanding and deep appreciation of the transformation taking place in ourselves each and every day as we learn to become more and more like God, regardless of our wealth. Notice verse 12 now: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). To be able to rejoice and be exceedingly glad to follow in Christ’s footsteps while being persecuted, is indeed a priceless blessing.
One of the wealthiest of God’s faithful in history is Job. What do we suppose Job saw as his greatest blessing? He, in essence, answers that question after God had humbled him. “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). As a result of his repentance, we know that God gave him even greater physical wealth than He had previously. His greatest blessing, however, was the growth that had taken place in his humble relationship with God!
What is your greatest blessing?
Marshall Stiver
