Christians often misunderstand why God is blessing them. Believing that He’s doing it to make them great or to make their life better. While in reality, God blesses us as Christians so that we can be a blessing to others. This is something shown all throughout the scripture.
Just look at Lazarus. He was blessed when Jesus called him out of the tomb and restored his life. Yet this blessing was not for him alone. Nor was it for his sisters who had been mourning his death. God had another purpose for blessing Lazarus. It was so that others would come to faith through him. So that by seeing a man brought back from the dead they would understand who Jesus was. As well as turn to him to receive salvation and the gift of eternal life.
John 12:9–11 (ESV)
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
There’s another time when Jesus encountered a man who was possessed by a Legion of demons. When Jesus met the man he blessed him by casting all of the demons out of him in one fell swoop. This, of course, was a great blessing for this man who quickly found himself no longer tormented every second of the day and back in his right mind.
But again this blessing was not for him alone. Because when he asked Jesus if he could return with him Jesus told him to go back to his own people. Instructing him to tell everyone he encountered of what Jesus had done for him. In turn, using his blessing so that others could come to know Jesus aswell.
Mark 5:19–20 (ESV)
19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
On their way to the temple, one day Peter and John encountered a man lame from birth. Through this encounter, the man received a blessing far greater than he could have ever imagined. The ability to walk, run, and jump for the very first time.
Acts 3:6–8 (ESV)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
But this again blessing was not for him alone. It’s was because of what took place in the lame man’s life that Peter was given the opportunity to preach the Gospel. Which lead many people to receive salvation that very day.
Acts 3:9 (ESV)
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
Acts 3:11–12 (ESV)
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Acts 4:4 (ESV)
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
God has also blessed every one of us with some kind of gift. An ability to do something very well. That it almost seems you were born to do. This blessing can, of course, be used for personal gain and many take that route. But scripture tells us as Christians to use the gifting that we have received to bless others. In order, to grow the kingdom.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The Bible also is sure to point out that those who God has blessed with increase are meant to use it to help others. We are told all throughout the Bible to be generous. In fact, thieves are told to stop stealing and begin to work. Then to use their earnings to be a blessing to others.
Luke 6:30 (ESV)
30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)
6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
While the blessing of healing, gifting, and even increase are all great. They really are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Comparing nothing to our greatest blessing and the real reason we have to rejoice. That our name has been written down in the Book of Life and death no longer has a hold on us.
Luke 11:20 (ESV)
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Because of this, we should choose to not keep what God has blessed us with in this life to ourselves. But use it to be a blessing to others. So they too can receive the greatest blessing imaginable eternal life in Heaven.
The Lord truly does pour out blessings on His people because He loves and cares for them. But at the same time, it is not always about us. Our blessings can be and often are meant to be a blessing for others. Scripture makes that case time and time again.
Start making an impact in this world and use your gifts, testimony, and increase to touch the life of someone else. Because that is one of the reasons that God has poured out a blessing in your life.
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