Blessing

Sometimes, things we have done in the past come back to haunt us. That’s what happened to Jacob. Years earlier, Jacob had stolen his brother’s birthright and their father’s blessing. Now it was time for an accounting. Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, was coming to meet him.

Oh, man, I really want to say it. The words are right there on the tip of my tongue. They are as sharp as a sword and hot enough to burn through the person who has just unloaded on me, insulted me, or said something disparaging. So often, I search for the right words to say. I consult a dictionary and a thesaurus. But I need no reference tools on these occasions! The volcanic words erupt from deep within. They make the twelve-inch journey from my heart to my lips in a nanosecond. Their engines roar on the runway of my tongue, ready to take off like an X-15 fighter jet!

A wealthy believer never has to downplay God’s blessings. Wealth should be viewed as a reward for honest hard work. A believer should “accept his lot.” Don’t apologize for God’s gift. We should enjoy the vocation he has called us to do and the rewards we achieve for doing it.

God is not worthy of our leftovers. We should worship him with the firstfruits—the best—of our time and money. This proverb reminds us that God blesses obedience.

There is a blessing on the other side of sacrifice. So, here’s the question: What’s the sacrifice standing between you and God’s blessing?

God uses life’s challenges to “wrestle” with us and help us see that he is stretching and molding us into the person he wants us to be.

Pray personal prayers. God has something great just for you.

Pray according to God’s will. That’s where His blessing will be and where great things will happen in your life.

Giving is not to be legalistic or burdensome. It is an act of worship when we bring our offering to him. Someone has well said, “Give according to God’s blessing; lest he bless according to your giving.”