Most Christians are familiar with the term “blessed to be a blessing.” It refers to the fact that God has blessed us, and He desires for us to bless others as well. The actual reference is from the Biblical story of Abraham entering into a covenant with God, who told Abraham that He would bless Abraham and would bless the nations through Abraham and his offspring. We know this was faithfully accomplished through Jesus, in the lineage of Abraham, who is the Savior of the world. According to the flesh, there will be those from every people, tribe, and tongue who will receive the eternal blessing of heaven through Jesus, who was a descendant of Abraham. We know the phrase, where it came from, and how it was ultimately fulfilled in Abraham’s life through Jesus Christ. Yet, when we begin to consider the application of this Biblical principle, we often seem to think of it in a very limited way.
the primary reason
We are very prone to think of being blessed and of being a blessing in financial terms. Thinking this way seems appropriate, of course, as whatever financial resources we have are ultimately God’s blessing to us, and He does desire for us to use our financial resources to bless others also. Therefore, we should not think of our money as primarily a means of acquiring things for ourselves but as a way God can use us to bless others. Of course, this does not mean that it is wrong for us to live appropriately blessed lives regarding what we have and the lifestyle we enjoy. Still, we must also understand that a primary reason for the resources we are entrusted with is a blessing to others.
Every gift is God-given
However, the more significant issue is that we stop thinking about applying this principle with the subject of money. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that this applies to every type of gift that we receive. It says, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” This says that EVERY gift we have is God-given and should be understood as to be received not simply for our enjoyment but should be used to serve others. In doing so, we will be faithful to the many ways in which God’s grace blesses our lives.
to the glory of God
Have you ever considered that the reason you have some musical ability is so you can use it to be a blessing to others? Or have you thought you have good administrative skills because God wants you to bless others through those abilities? Or that you are a good cook because God gave you that ability to be a blessing to others? The scripture says that the unique gifts are gifts we should steward well by using them to serve others. We are blessed to be a blessing, and this includes our financial resources, our spiritual gifts, and our natural abilities. When we recognize all our gifts and abilities as a blessing from God, we use them to benefit and serve others. We become good stewards of the blessings we have received, and God will likely bless us even more so that we can be a greater blessing to others! By this is the multifaceted grace of God spread throughout all nations. Whatever you do, do for the glory of God.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.