Blessings: How To Get Them

Why is this Life Lessons title intriguing? Aren’t people always concerned with bigger, better, and more? Or, do some have an honest lack of understanding about God and His blessings? Is there a way to know we can receive His blessings? The answers to my questions, in order, are:

• Intrigue: It’s about self-interest – not necessarily a bad thing
• Bigger, Better, More: Yes, that describes many (dark side of self-interest)
• Misunderstanding: Yes, it is widespread
• Can we know: Yes!

Life Lessons: Blessings Are Not About YOU!

If we want to receive a blessing, why is it not about us? Because blessings are all about the character and nature of God. What we think of as blessings-to-receive are, in most cases, things He has obligated Himself to do. Said another way, God has made it possible for us to benefit when He keeps His Word. Our wise Father employs our sense of self-interest to encourage us. What is the point of His encouragement?

Life Lessons: It’s Not About Bigger, Better, More

There is a healthy degree of self-interest. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

You have not because you ask not.

Our healthy self-interest should take over right there! We should be obedient to the Father and ask! Why? Because asking Him is His idea. In His wisdom, He uses a healthy self-interest to promote our obedience. Why? Our obedient asking focuses our thoughts and intentions on the One Who knows best to give us what is best. See it clearly. His instruction is for us to ask, trusting Him with the answer. He did not tell us to demand!

There is also an unhealthy degree of self-interest. Scripture also addresses this:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it upon your pleasures

Our motive matters! What should our motive be? To get the obvious out of the way, we don’t ask so we can have. We don’t yield to Him in obedience so we can get something. It’s true, He does promise to reward our obedience. But our motive is wrapped up in:

• Love for Him (Greatest Commandment)
• Faith in His Promises
• His glory for what He does and provides

Life Lessons: Blessings Are NOT Payment-in-Kind

Is God a debtor to anyone? No. Does He say that giving to the poor among us is the same as lending to Him? Yes. Does He promise to repay in abundance? Yes. Now comes the misunderstanding part. Scripture makes statements like:

With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Even so, there is NO statement that if my gift is money God will give money in return. He may or He may not. What He will give is what is best for Him to give. He will give the best that’s possible and it will come in abundance. Why? Because we exercised faith in His promises and faith in His goodness.

So how can we be sure we will receive a blessing from God? We must know what He says, believe what He says, and act on what He says. His blessing will follow and it will always be what is best, not necessarily what we think it ought to be!

Blessings To Be Claimed

Many of you are giving or your time, talents, and treasures to many good things. I am glad. For some of you, supporting this ministry is part of your giving. I am also glad about that! For others, you’re hesitant to trust and let faith guide you in helping others. May I suggest a small step is better than no step?

The cover image was taken after 2019 graduation ceremonies in the Dominican Republic. And, YES, we’ve had one in this locaiton since then – as well as other locations. That’s because training pastors and church leaders is the centerpiece of our work. In addition to that, our EquipUs teams build churches, teach skills class, staff medical missions or lead VBS-style children’s ministry. And the point is we have a two-for-one opportunity coming up next week!

I’ve cited Matthew 10:41-42 in numerous posts. And that’s relevant to this discussion of blessings and opportunities. One thing we try to do in every graduation is give the graduates a new Study Bible. Those run about $50 each. So now, put all these things together and you’ll see the two-fer I mentioned!

You can directly help the ministry of a pastor. If you aid the prophet (pastor) you receive the prophet’s reward. God rewards the worker and the equipper equally. So there is our need and your opportunity. You can use the DONATE link here or the picture link to the right. And for contributions by check, the address is at the end of this post.

This is just one of many opportunities we have to experience the truth God tells us:

• It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Soli Deo Gloria! 

EqiupUs, PO Box 803, Scottsboro, AL 35768