The blessing of blessings

 

1 Chronicles 2:7-13

Our possessions, wealth, honor or success are blessings from God. If we have a lot of stuff, it must be because God's been good to us. If we're wealthy, of course, God blessed us. But not necessarily, right? Are all wealthy people blessed by God? Are God's blessings stuff? Some of the people I've met who have felt most blessed by God have had less of what we call blessings. No second or third cars. No new home. No raise. Not even three meals a day. Just a full assurance of God's presence and power. While I'm sure God can and does bless us with comforts and prosperity, I always want to be careful with that notion. It's too easy to keep going in that direction. It doesn't take much effort to find that kind of faith teaching that says the more we have, the more blessed we are. The more God favors us. That prosperity is God's ultimate desire for us. How convenient for us. It's helpful to consider what blessings are. Are they rewards? Incentives? I'll suggest there is a greater purpose behind them we often miss. Blessings aren't to make us more comfortable or more happy. Of course, blessings might bring those feelings with them. But blessings are to make us more holy. To draw us closer to God and God's image within us. And to prepare us to serve God's people more. If that's true, we really need to evaluate the blessings we have. Possessions, wealth, honor and success have a way of steering us from God's holiness, if we're not careful. Oh, we may look to God. But not to God's beauty or loving kindness. We don't offer our lives in praise and worship as a response. We end up dismissing the Lord as, what one young person once described to me, "a Santa Claus with rules." Those weren't the blessings Solomon asked of God. Maybe being the new king takes away some of your need for more of those. Still, understanding the task before him, Solomon asked God for wisdom. Notice how that blessing was going to serve Solomon and the people of his kingdom. If you never got any more stuff from God again, what blessings would you be sure God gives you? The blessing of our blessings is the holiness that comes out of them. Stay blessed...john