It is first important for us to determine the origin of all blessings. In James 1: 17 we read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” This includes every good thing given and every perfect gift that originates from God, the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and who does not change like shifting shadows. All generous acts of giving and every perfect gift are from above, descending from the Father of lights, in whose character there is no variation of shadow due to change. In the Old Testament the word translated “bless” is barak, which can mean to praise, congratulate, or salute. The first mention in the Bible is in Genesis 1:22, when God blessed the sea creatures and birds, telling them to be fruitful and multiply in the earth. Likewise, in verse 28, God gave the similar blessing to Adam and Eve, adding that they were to exercise dominion over creation. The concept of being “blessed to be a blessing” originates from God’s covenant with Abraham, where He promised to bless Abraham so that he would become a blessing to all nations. (Genesis 12: 2-3) This principle is foundational in Christian teaching, emphasizing that the blessings received from God—whether spiritual, material, or personal—are intended to be shared with others for their benefit and to glorify God. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is seen in Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Abraham and the source of salvation for all peoples. As believers, we are called to steward our gifts, resources, and abilities to serve others, reflecting God’s love and grace in tangible ways. So, we conclude that God and God alone is the “Blessing Giver.” Blessings are God’s idea and He bestows His blessings upon us not because we earn or deserve it but because of His grace. Each of us have received the gift of life—a blessing from God above. The question is, “What will we do with the blessing we have been given?”
God’s original design in creation was for His creatures, including mankind, to experience prosperity, peace and fulfillment, but the design was ruined when sin entered the world. Statements of blessing are a wish for God to restore His favor on others or a declaration of His inherent goodness. The ultimate blessing that God has given is the new life and forgiveness that comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The material blessings we enjoy from day to day are temporary, but the spiritual blessings available to us in Christ encompass time and eternity, as well as material and immaterial things.
As we know, God gives us the choice to either accept or reject His grace. We read in Ephesians 2: 4, 7-8, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us…That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” He desires for us to accept that gift of undeserved favor and the bestowal of new life and power through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, there are two primary Greek words, translated as “blessing.” Makarious, carries the meaning of happiness. In the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 and Luke 6 it describes the happy state of those who find their purpose and fulfillment in God. The best life is available for those who love and fear God and order their lives according to His Word. Psalm 1: 1-3 carries this theme further when it states, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Romans 4: 6-8 ties this happy blessing to those whose sins are forgiven, for they know the relationship to God has been restored.
The other Greek word for blessing in the New Testament is euogeo, which means to speak well of or to praise. It focuses on good words or the good report that others give of someone and also describes the blessing that we say over our food. (Matthew 26: 26) It is used by Jesus when He blesses the bread and wine at the Last Supper, which later became the practice of Communion in the Christian Church. The word is also used by Paul in Ephesians 1:3 when he writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.” In 1 Peter 3:9 we are instructed to bless those who mistreat us, because we are called to receive a blessing from God. It is made clear in Scripture that words are powerful and can be a blessing or cursing. It is a matter of the heart. Jesus said that “the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Mt. 12:35) Jesus also says, “Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Mt. 12: 36) We are called to be a blessing to others so we are to speak good things to and about them, to call forth their beauty and truth. No one is brought to life through curses, gossip, accusations, or blaming. It calls forth only darkness, destruction, and death. As the “blessed ones,” we can walk through this world and offer blessings. People want to be blessed! The voice that calls us the Beloved will give us words to bless others and reveal to them that they are no less blessed than we. We are blessed to be a blessing!
Let us consider these truths as we pursue our blessing walk:
God’s promise to Abraham was not for personal gain but to extend blessings to all nations through Him. The blessings God gives are meant to be shared, including financial resources, spiritual gifts, and natural talents, all to be used for the benefit of others. Being a blessing involves selfless actions, such as helping the poor, visiting orphans and widows, and showing mercy which reflects the character of Christ. True blessing is not merely material wealth but includes spiritual fulfillment, peace, and the ability to love others as God has loved us. The ability to bless others flows naturally from a heart that is secure in its own blessedness, as affirmed by God’s love and calling. All we have and are, is a gift from God to glorify Him and build His kingdom on this earth. One day we will give an account of how we used what He has given us both spiritually and physically. The biblical concept of blessings from God is rooted in His love and grace for His people. God desires to bless us and see us prosper, both spiritually and physically. The Bible is full of scriptures on blessings and favor. Here are just a few:
Psalm 5: 12: “For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.” Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Deuteronomy 28:1: “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Psalm 23:5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Malachi 3:10: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” We are blessed because God in Oneness (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is moving in strength and power to destroy our enemies and overcome our human reasoning and insufficiency. In Deuteronomy 33: 27-29 we read: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone; the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also His heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like upon thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of they help, and who is the sword of thy excellency, and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” God desires to bless His people Israel and the Church—the Body of Christ. Regardless of what we are facing in this time of chaos and uncertainty, God is with us. He is at work destroying our enemies. Enemies like the idolatry of sports, entertainment, consumerism, our own intellect to figure things out, loss of real relationships among family members and friends, our pride and sense of superiority, etc. He is leveling the field and helping us return to basics. We must help each other—being a blessing to one another. We must pray and trust God alone for the help we need. We must get reacquainted with family and neighbors. It is time for the Church to reconnect with our communities with hands-on help—blessing in action. There are many reasons to declare, “We are blessed to be a blessing.”
Let us pray for God’s blessings. When we pray for God’s blessings, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him and our trust in His provision. Remember God and God alone is the Source of our blessings—without Him we can do nothing. Here are some pray points of how to pray for God’s blessings:
Pray with faith—believe that God is able and willing to bless you. Pray with gratitude—thank God for the blessings that He has already given you. Pray according to His will—seek God’s guidance and wisdom in your prayers. Pray persistently—continue to pray for God’s blessings and trust in His timing. To be blessed by God means to receive His favor, provision, and protection. It means to experience His love and grace in our lives and to have a relationship with Him. Being blessed by God does not necessarily mean that we will be free from trials or hardships, but it does mean that we can trust in His faithfulness and goodness even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
As Christians, we are called to be a blessing to others. This means that we are to use our time, talents, and resources to help and serve those around us. We can be a blessing to others by showing kindness, generosity, and compassion by sharing the love of Jesus, and by praying for and encouraging one another. Understanding the true meaning of blessings and the biblical concept of blessings from God is crucial to our faith. When we recognize and receive God’s blessings in our lives, we are able to experience His love and grace in a deeper way and to trust in His provision and faithfulness. We are also able to be a blessing to others and to share the good news of the gospel with those around us. REMEMBER—It is all about God—His plan and His glory! We are blessed to be a blessing to God and to others! God, make us a blessing to someone today!