Blessed to be a Blessing

 1 Samuel 6-7; Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9

“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:13-15

When it comes to grace-filled gift-giving, God sets the standard. Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians was to authenticate their confession of the Gospel and provide evidence of God’s grace in their lives. This was to be done by generously sharing their material possessions with others. 

Has our experience of God’s generosity and love for us moved us to radically share our resources with others?

Are we a channel of God’s grace and gifts, or are we a reservoir?

Not surprisingly, Paul said that the recipents of these acts of generosity should respond by extending their hearts in prayer for those who have blessed them. In the end, this ministry of prayer and intercession might have been the more valuable end of the exchange.

“Lord Jesus, you have blessed me to be a blessing, for your glory.”