Why does God Bless Us?

God is able and willing to bless us...but why

Because He loves us? Yes.

Because He promised to provide? Yes.

Because He is good and kind and loving? Yes.

But there's another reason for His abundant blessings and it's found toward the end of 2 Corinthians 9:8. He blesses us so we will have all we need at all times, but for a greater purpose than our comfort. He blesses us abundantly so that we in turn can bless others. He call this "good works."

God doesn't just bless us for our benefit, but so that He can meet the needs of others through us - through our generosity.

So, if today you have more than you need, ask God if there is someone you need to bless.

We are His hand extended to the poor, the needy, the broken-hearted and the downtrodden. 

Prayer:

Father, thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for providing all my needs. When you pour out an abundance of blessings, Lord, open my eyes to see the needs around me and give me a heart as generous as yours is. Amen

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Why would God give you more blessings than you need?

"And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything—enough to give to every good work. God is the One who gives seed to the farmer and bread for food. He will give you all the seed you need and make it grow so there will be a great harvest from your goodness...He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will cause many to give thanks to God."

2 Corinthians 9:8,10-11 (NCV)

God does not bless us with more than we need so that we can indulge ourselves. If He gives us more than we need (not want), it's because He wants to use us to bless others.

Photo courtesy lusi ,rgbstock.com

All around us, people are in need. Kids who need back-to-school clothes and supplies, a single mom who needs diapers and formula, an elderly person who needs help with medical bills or house repairs.
God has placed us exactly where we are in our neighborhoods, our jobs, our churches. He knows the needs of those around us and would love to use us to help meet those needs. 

"But I don't have lots of extra money," I hear you say. Here's a radical idea...what if we downsize a bit - simplify our lives? What if we get rid of those things we don't really need. Sell them and give the money to help others. What if we really step out and give away something we need? Do we trust God to provide for us as we show generosity to others?

It's tempting to hold on to what we have...just in case. Fear of the future keeps us from stepping out in faith.

Sometimes we cop the attitude that "I worked hard for this, why should I give it away even if it's extra money?"

I don't have all the answers, but what I do know is that God is challenging me to trust Him more. To be willing help others, then trust Him to help me.  Recently God supplied over $4000 that we needed to cover the expense of surgery. It came in bit by bit from unexpected sources and arrived just at the right time. This convinced me that God wants us to help others and that He is able meet all my needs..

We (my husband and I), are excited about this new season in our lives...learning to stretch our faith and trust God beyond what we can see and do for ourselves.

Here's what I know...God is faithful to His Word!

Has God provided for you after you helped someone else?
Do you use extra funds to help others?
Would you consider downsizing or selling some things off in order to help someone in need?

Would love to hear your comments.

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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)