We are told it is better to give than receive, in fact Jesus said it is more “blessed” to give than to receive. Those who are on the receiving end of this equation would no doubt agree, but what does this truly mean? How does it apply to every aspect of our life, beyond our treasures? Let’s consider together as we define not only the act of blessing others, but the purpose of this truth for our lives.
Learning
It seems I have been in class these past few weeks. No, not physically but figuratively, as I have been presented with various opportunities to bless others. If I pause here, you will likely think that the opportunities I speak of involve people in need of money. My answer, quite frankly, is both yes and no. When we think about blessing others, our mind immediately goes to money or our treasures. I am here to tell you it is only part of this equation, and in reality, in most cases a small part of the equation.
A couple weeks ago we had the privilege of hearing Chris Hodges speak about prayer. He broke down the prayer of Jabez into four main points that I believe are helpful for our topic. I will attach a link to the sermon below. It is worth the price of admission. The list below is a paraphrase of the points from my notes. I believe these prayer points can help us answer the questions about both the act of blessing and its purpose for our lives.
- Pray for Blessing – Pray for more than your needs, how can you bless others if you only ask for what you need?
- Pray for Influence – With the blessing I have received, allow me to be an influence to those around me.
- Pray for Presence – God’s hand upon me to guide my thoughts and actions for the best use of my influence and treasures.
- Pray for Protection – As we try to bless and influence, the enemy will work to stop the blessing and destroy our influence.
https://gatewaypeople.com/sermons/the-prayer-of-jabez
My Take
One of the greatest learnings of my life has been a phrase that God gave me and that I use often. “The only ability that God needs from me is my AVAILABILITY!”. Through the principle of blessing, this truth is being revealed to me on a much deeper level. What I am about to share is not meant to say, hey look what I have done, but only to show the numerous ways that we can be a blessing.
Just yesterday in the Lowes parking lot, as I was walking to my car a young lady was loading her purchases. One of the items was a 5-gallon pail of joint compound. I knew it was heavy and simply asked her if I could help? As I loaded it for her, she said I was wondering how I was going to get it in my car. Another parking lot, another day, I was heading into the store and noticed an elderly woman who had just unloaded her groceries into her car and was looking for the nearest cart storage. I asked if I could take it for her, she gladly accepted and went on her way.
I could go on, but what I want you to understand is that kindness is likely the easiest way to bless others. Money is not always required to be a blessing, but there are times you may be asked to give of your abundance. Treasures included. The concept we are talking about here, really comes down to developing a servant mentality. A mentality of obedience that says, how can I help you today?
The Act of Blessing and your Treasures
When we get down to it, there are three wells within our lives from which we can draw and bless others. The first is our Treasures, and this is the one that we most immediately think about. It is also the one we have the most trouble with. If you have struggled with money, either not having it, or it having you, then you can relate. Freedom comes here, when you come to the realization that it is not yours, and you can’t take it with you.
No treasure mindset
I grew up in a poor family and learned early what it was to not have all of your “needs” met. Though we didn’t have everything, we did not lack for the necessities. Coming out of poverty can lead to a hoarder mentality, but it can also help you understand the blessing of having others bless you in your time of need.
A treasure gained mindset
I am now on the other side of the fence, where I am not wealthy by any means, but I am far from where I started. The struggle of getting from poverty to some level of wealth can also lead to a selfish mindset, and a hoarder mindset. The idea of abundance is hard to grasp when your past situations cloud your thinking.
My treasure mindset
I cannot speak to the mindset developed from a life of wealth. But I read much in the bible about the mindset of the rich. I was reading in James chapter 5 this morning and saw again, the warning to watch your thinking. The old question, “do you have money or does money have you”, applies here. The principle of blessing requires the right mindset, no matter what world you came from, or you live in today regarding your treasures. Jesus said, where your treasures are, there your heart will be also, when He was talking about the wealth mindset, and how you approach it.
The Act of Blessing and your Talents
Our next well to draw from is talents, our abilities and skills. Talents are important as they make up our character and who you are. Only you can fulfill the calling on your life, and your skills and talents will be used in that endeavor. However, all God needs from you is your availability! This posture of “here I am, send me”, provides an avenue for opportunities to flow your way. In those opportunities, you will have the chance to use your talents and skills and develop others you didn’t even realize you needed.
The Act of Blessing and your Time
Time is something that we take for granted and we believe we have plenty of. If we really believe that, why do we guard it so viciously? Time should be the easiest of the three acts mentioned here, but because of how busy we are, it is not. Like our treasures, we have to be careful how we think about time. We don’t, nor can we own it, but man do we act as if we do. As if we could squeeze our fist tight enough to keep it from slipping through our fingers. Time is definitely not on our side as the Rolling Stones song relates! How we spend our time will determine how richly we are able to bless others. Others meaning those closest to us, and those closest to God’s heart.
See a Need, Bless a Need
There is a quote by E.C. Beard that I memorized years ago, it goes something like this: “You ask what is the will of God, well here’s the answer true. It’s the nearest thing that can be done, that He can do through you!” I believe his concept of the will of God summarizes our discussion here. God’s will is that we use our blessings, our treasures, talents, and time, to bless others. Make yourself available and seize the opportunity He provides to be a blessing to others.
The purpose of the act of blessing in your life, is not to drain your wells, as some may think. In the act of blessing others, we get to experience and share the love of Christ and witness the heart of the Father for His children. You will experience joy, and gladness as you have seldom experienced. You will also taste contentment for what you have as your focus shifts from yourself and what you don’t have, to the abundance you have been provided to meet the need!
Final thoughts and questions
We always end our posts with “All of life is ministry”. I cannot complete this post without calling out the fact that, what we have discussed does not just apply to those outside your sphere of influence. It is easy to think that blessing others means those God puts in your path from day to day. What about your spouse? What about your children, or your mom and dad? Your sister, your brother, and others in your family? They need your treasures, your talents, and your time just as much as those God puts in your path.
How can you use your abundance, the blessings God has provided you, to bless and influence others, including your family today?
Remember “All of life is ministry”!
Rick
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