It has been a belief throughout Jewish history that wealth, honor, and long life were blessings of God.

The forefathers of Judaism — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — were men of large herds, big families, and long lives.

Then came Jesus, delivering Himself into the poverty of the world, born in a barn. His human father’s occupation as a carpenter would have provided a modest standard of living. Yet, Jesus’ parents were undoubtedly blessed; they were raising the Son of God!

As an adult, Jesus wasn’t wealthy. “He had no place to lay His head,” Matthew 8:20 says. He wasn’t honored in worldly ways. In fact, His life was so humble that many Jews overlooked Him. He didn’t wear God’s blessings the way they thought the Messiah would.

Yet Jesus was certainly blessed. His ministry was the most successful of any! It reached to the ends of the earth, lasted thousands of years beyond His lifespan, and has changed lives like no other.

Jesus set a new standard for successful living. God’s blessings could come wrapped in wealth, grand positions, and long earthly lives, but Jesus and His disciples attest that they don’t always. Success from God is the hope and joy that comes from faith. Any wealth, honor, and long life we may miss on earth will reward us in heaven.