Blessed to Bless, Pt. 3

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Those consumed with getting rich will encounter many snares & hardships in this life, but focusing on blessing others results in being blessed in turn.

Blessed to Bless, Pt. 3

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

(1 Timothy 6:17-19)

The Word of God provides principles about stewardship that guide us to not only be blessed, but also to bless other people. Every gift comes from God who gives us all things to enjoy. But the command is not to get rich, but to be rich; there is a big difference. Those consumed with getting rich will encounter many snares and hardships in this life. Proverbs 23:4 says, "Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!" In 1 Timothy 6:9 we read, "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." Those who seek to be rich in good works, as Paul teaches, have a different mindset. They are more concerned with being ready to give and willing to share with others what God has blessed them with. When we bless others here on earth, we help prepare a good foundation in heaven.

Paul's message to Timothy reminds me of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
I love these words from 1 Timothy 6:18: "ready to give, willing to share." Lord, please help us to do this.

Give, and do not be stingy. God has blessed each of us, and He desires us to be a blessing to others.

Dr. Charles Stanley asked the question, "What is a blessing?" He said a blessing is when God intervenes in your life for good or happiness, or when He meets some need in your life on your behalf. God, who is the giver of life and all the blessings contained therein, expects us to follow His example and bless others out of the overflow of blessings we have.

Our greatest example is none other than Jesus. He was the greatest blesser of all and continues to be. Our God is a blessing God! He loves us and desires to lavish upon us good things, and in turn, He expects us to lavish blessings on others. Jesus saw Himself as a servant. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." When Jesus saw a need, He met the need. He was constantly giving, caring, and sharing Himself.

You may be thinking, if you are only focused on giving and helping others, who will help or bless you? I have the answer: God! He will not be indebted to anyone. He sees everything and rewards those who live a life of service and ministry to other people. It is counterintuitive to focus on giving and not getting. But it is the path that leads to a blessed, prosperous, and fulfilled life.

Today, ask the Lord to lead you in specific ways where you can bless and assist someone else. Get ready, for that is a prayer that God likes to answer!