If you don't have an advanced degree, top notch job, or a big house, you are not blessed! This misconception has plagued our society. Even in the Christian world, we cannot escape the stigma that to be considered successful and blessed, we must be wealthy, highly educated, and possess all the latest trends and gadgets. If the sign of God blessing us is a degree, nice career, big house, material possessions, and money, why do atheists and unbelievers, who spend their life disobeying God, have those things also? Why do faithful Christians overseas, who are being killed for their faith, have little or none of these things? Many times what we call a "blessing" and "success" is frequently merely a product of us doing things on our own but stamping God's name on it. Even in the Christian world, we cannot escape the stigma that to be considered successful and blessed, we must be wealthy, highly educated, and possess all the latest trends and gadgets.

The truth is, none of these things matter to anyone but the people around you who are trying to get more "stuff" also, simply to compare to you and other "successful" people to determine where they fall in the hierarchy of the so-called blessed and successful. If one is truly seeking the heart of God, they will not be consumed with this worldly comparison, but the comparison of their lives to that of Jesus. If someone doesn't live for God the last thing that our holy father is concerned with is giving us temporal earthly things that only push us further away from Him. Yes, God can bless His people with material things to advance His kingdom; however, His blessings serve an eternal purpose, not temporal satisfaction. God is not interested so much in our success as He is fixated in our hearts and what we are doing for His Kingdom.

My bible does not say blessed are those who are homeowners; blessed are those who went to college, or blessed are those who possess monetary wealth. It says, "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2), and He began to teach them, saying: 3) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. 10) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:1-12).

I am not saying that is it wrong to have material things, but we give people a false assurance and make them think they are "blessed" by God and in good standing with Him because they have stuff. When we stand before God, He will not be fascinated by our prestigious titles, which college degree have obtained, the brand of our clothing, which new phone or tablet we own, or the size of our house. When we attach the word ‘blessings' to the stuff we own that makes our lifestyles comfortable, our gratitude appears empty and shallow. Are we still blessed if our house crumbles to the ground? What if our car breaks down, does it then become just a burden? My prayer today is that we understand the true blessing. It's not the big house, a high paying job, or a comfortable standard of living. The genuine blessing is to be absorbed in the presence of a God who gives hope to those who have nothing, loves those who don't know how to love, and a God who strives to open our eyes and hearts to this same potential within all of us.