Take a moment to make a list of all the ways that God has blessed you (spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, etc.) Ready? Go.
Now think about this question: Why has God blessed you?
In Genesis 12:1-3, God blesses Abraham for a specific purpose.
“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’”
God blesses Abraham to be a blessing. Specifically, God blesses Abraham to be a blessing to all nations. David understood this and also sung his own version of “God Bless America”... or... uh Israel.
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among nations.” Psalm 67:1-2
David knew that blessing from God is a means to an end. The end is God’s glory among all nations. When God blesses people, He never intends it to end with them.
Galatians 3:14 says, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
The blessing is the gospel. If the blessing had stopped with Abraham, you and I would not have received salvation by faith or the gift of the Holy Spirit.
To those who are blessed, God gives the responsibility to be a blessing to others. The hope of the gospel is that those who aren’t blessed will be blessed by the people who are. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We are the agents of the blessing of the gospel.
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’" Romans 10:12-15
As Americans, we have been blessed to be a blessing to all nations. What are we doing with this blessing? Are we using it to bless ourselves even more? Or are we extending this blessing to the nations? They can’t hear unless someone preaches. They can’t preach unless they are sent.
16,334 people groups occupy planet earth. 6,639 of them have little to no access to the gospel. An unsaved person has access to the gospel. These are your friends and neighbors. But billions have no access. They couldn’t hear about Jesus even if they wanted to. And yet we receive more blessings and “spiritual information” in a week than many people groups have experienced throughout the duration of their civilization. WE ARE SO BLESSED! But God never intended us to be blessed without extending that blessing. No, that would be too small of a thing for God to do.
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6
You have been blessed to be a blessing to all nations. Don’t let the blessing stop with you. Don’t let the blessing stop here in your neighborhood, your state, even your country. Let it extend to the world. Our God is a global God with global purposes. The living God is a missionary God. Let’s not lose sight of the mission that God set before us in Genesis 12 and brings to completion in Revelation 7:9 (Read it!).
It is too small a thing for you to live your life and be content with God’s blessings. You are blessed to be a blessing. Fulfill the purpose for which you were created. Be a blessing…to all nations!
How can you be a blessing?
1. Go. Be a missionary.
2. Send. Support a missionary financially.
3. Pray. Pray for unreached peoples to hear the good news.
4. Welcome. Befriend internationals in your schools and communities.
~Jeff Simpson
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So many of us in the church have watched you grow up, Jeff, and you have grown to be a handsome son of God. Keep up the good work! We are so proud of you!
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