Unfortunately, the church of today is measuring their state of being “blessed” by the world’s standards rather than from God’s perspective. “Things” such as expensive cars, houses with all the amenities, and designer la­ bel clothing have defined how good God has been to His people. Jesus says something profound in this regard and should arrest the church’s world­view mentality. He states emphatically, “for after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (St. Matthew 6:32).

Rather than getting caught up in a never­satisfied, never ­ending roller coaster ride of the world, it’s needful to understand the “blessedness” of mankind from God’s point of view. The Psalmist states we are blessed when we are “separated” from the things and the counsel of the world (Psalm 1:1). The world has a strong influence and this influence can only be negated by obedience to God’s Word. A blessed man is one who stays consecrated to God (Psalm 1:2). This individual loves God’s Word, muses on it seeking direction for life. Lastly, God recognizes the church being blessed when it is fruitful (Psalm1:3). The church is the embodiment of Christ on earth and reproduces after its kind.

The saints indeed are a blessed people, not according to the world’s criteria but God’s. We are clearly in­ structed by the Word, “but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these thing shall be added unto you” (St. Matthew 6:33). “His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3b). A “blessed man” can have a relationship with God, receive what God has for him, and enjoy what God has given him, and then receive a crown of life.