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The Bible teaches us that every good gift comes from God. Whether you are talking about your iPhone or your relationships, all of it is a gift from God. Sometimes we will throw around the word “blessing” to describe what God does in our lives. We might say, “God has really blessed me” and one of our most popular songs is “God Bless America.” And all of this is true, God has blessed us greatly, but have you ever wondered why?
The Key to Blessing in Genesis 12
In Genesis 12, we find the reason for all this blessing in our lives. Genesis 12 introduces to a man named Abraham (technically in Genesis 12 he’s still called Abram). Abraham was a regular guy, who hadn’t done anything particularly special with his life. But God chose him from all the people of the world in order to start his plan to rescue the world. And God blessed Abraham. In Genesis 12, God promises Abraham that he’s going to have a big family that turns into a mighty nation. God is going to make Abraham’s name great. And in verse three, God’s blessing to Abraham culminates in these words:
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
This promise will take us all the way to Jesus who will be the ultimate way that God will bless the whole world through Abraham. But let’s also think about the principle that God is teaching in this verse.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
The last part of this verse explains why God blesses us. He blesses us in order to be a blessing to others. God didn’t give you all sorts of blessing so that you would hoard it for yourself. He wants you to pass it in on to others. If you are blessed with a relationship with God, he wants you to share that with others so that they can find a relationship with God. If you have been blessed with a lot of material stuff, then he wants you to share with those in need. If you have been blessed with relationships, then God wants you to reach out to those who are marginalized and alone.
God has blessed us to be a blessing to others.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- List some of the blessings that God has given you.
- Read Genesis 12:3. How is the promise of this verse fulfilled in Jesus Christ?
- How can you be a blessing to others today? List some specific examples.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
