Fruitful

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3

When we say we are blessed, we tend to mean we have received a reward for something we've done. "I studied hard, so I earned good grades." "I worked out every day, so I was given a spot on the team." "I did all my chores, so I received my allowance."

But the Beatitudes aren't about how to get blessings. The Beatitudes are about how to be blessed. The difference is incredibly important.

We can understand the difference by thinking of oranges. When orange seeds are planted in good soil, given the right nutrients, watered regularly, and kept at the right temperature, they eventually bear fruit. Those oranges are a great blessing to both those who grow them and those who eat them.

In a similar way, when someone shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with us, it is planted in our minds and hearts like a seed. If we respond to the gospel with faith, water it through the reading of the Bible, fertilize it through prayer, and keep it in the right direction  by practicing godliness, eventually that faith bears fruit. Eventually we become fruitful or, to use Jesus's word, blessed.

How do we know that we are bearing the fruit of faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus says we ought to begin by asking whether we are poor (humble) in spirit or prideful in spirit. The presence of pride reveals the gospel hasn't taken hold in our lives, but humility is a hallmark of faith.

Father, I want to be blessed more than I want to have blessings. Cause faith to be fruitful in my life.