The God of the weak

As i have been reading recently, Luke 6 and 7, Les Miserables, etc, i have been seeing more and more how much God cares for the weak, the poor the destitute, and how much they are drawn to him. I have even seen how, in some cases, this faith that we try to live out would make a lot more sense to them, and would be a lot more appealing than to a person whose life was together.

In Luke 6, Jesus speaks of the poor, the hurting the hungry. We take these as figurative a lot, the poor in spirit (as matthew 5 says) the "hungry for righteous" as matthew says. But i think Jesus cared just as much for these physical needs as the spiritual.

I have been thinking of what it means to be a new creation. We see taht a lot as a dying to self, and a rising up in Christ. But to us, taht involves sacrifice, like the rich young ruler. When we are happy with parts of who we are, new creation is not always a pleasant thought. But to one who is destitute, tot he Jean Valjean's of the world, new creation is a promise. A way out of a hopeless life. (i recognize that a wealthy man's life is just as hopeless in reality, but it doesnt seem that way in me moment)

so, questions:

1) why is it so easy for us to find "hope" in the things that make our life seem pleasant and good?
2) Why does the gospel appeal to the poor and hurting more than the able and strong?