SEARCHLIGHT
Are you a blessing receiver or blessing giver?
SCRIPTURE
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1 NIV
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:11,12 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
If you wake up breathing, you are called by God to be a blessing. Every day you wake up God is blessing you with life. Throughout the day He will continue to bless you in numerous ways both seen and unseen. God wants blessing receivers to be blessing givers. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [Acts 20:35] Your purpose on earth is not just to receive but to give. You have been called by God to bless. If you are living, God wants you to be giving. Because you have breath, you are to bless.
Whether or not you understand this principle of BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING will be seen by how grateful a person you are. Do people see your gratitude after having been blessed? A blessing giver is a blessing receiver. Many believers are lacking in the gratitude department. Much like the story of the 10 lepers mentioned in Luke 17:11-19, statistics would indicate that many blessing receivers are like the 9 lepers who never thanked Jesus for their healing. They do not acknowledge that God has blessed them and neither do they pass blessings on to others.
There are many people who have received large monetary gifts and never thanked the givers. Many people gladly receive gifts but never recognize the giver. People have been healed by Jesus and never tell anyone. Neither do they pray for another person’s healing. Are you expressing gratitude for all the blessings God has given you?
Boaz stands out as a man who truly lived the life of both a blessing receiver and a blessing giver. His story is found in the book of Ruth. As you read the above Scripture focus, the Bible says Boaz was “a man of standing.” He was a businessman farmer who employed many people. In the second Scripture focus, Boaz prayed over Ruth by saying, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord…” He knew how to pray a prayer of blessing because he knew all his blessings were God-given.
Boaz is a strong example of what it means to be BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. This entire book focuses on Boaz the blessing giver. His gratitude is seen by his desire to bless people. In order to become a “blesser,” take the following steps that Boaz did:
- Honor God. Boaz had a personal relationship with God. He chose to be led by God. He knew God was blessing him in numerous ways.
- Be observant. Boaz looked for ways to bless people. He had heard Ruth’s story and saw her.
- Bless without expecting a return for your blessing. Boaz provided food for Ruth.
- Develop a spirit of generosity. Boaz provided protection for Ruth.
- Be honorable. When Boaz discovered Ruth wanting to marry him, he was respectful.
- Be decisive. Boaz quickly took action to properly marry Ruth.
- Be grateful. Boaz did not hold back from blessing Ruth. He answered his own prayer.
One of your most important daily purposes is to be a blessing to people. If you wake up breathing, you are called by God to be a blessing. God blessed you with life. He wants you to receive the blessing of living so you can intentionally be giving. In God’s eyes, living means giving. If you are breathing, you are to be a blessing.
When you truly know how much you are loved by God, you will become a grateful person. A grateful person is daily overwhelmed by God’s goodness and faithfulness. You will respond just like the one leper who returned to Jesus to say, “Thank you!” A grateful person will develop a lifestyle of giving thanks to God and to others.
Bless without expecting any return for your blessing. The person you bless may not thank you. Do not let that hold you back from continuing to be a blessing giver. Be on the lookout to help people. Always want to do the right thing for everyone and not just yourself. Be considerate of all the people who surround you. Don’t hesitate to bless by praying for someone, offering help, or giving something tangible. Be responsible for others beyond yourself. Spiritual maturity comes from self-giving. Bless all people with respect and honor.
Know when you are blessed. When those big blessings come, admit it! Give God praise! Tell someone. When smaller blessings come, be sure people know you as someone who is always saying: “God is good…all the time.” You must always remember how you have been blessed. If you do not, you will not be like Boaz and you will become like the 9 lepers who were healed but were not grateful.
Enjoy God’s blessings to become His channel of blessing. You are here on this earth and alive this very day to be a blessing.
SOMETHING TO DO
What steps can you take to become a blessing giver? Pray and then write some down.
Read and meditate on Proverbs 22:9.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, God, for blessing me with blessings beyond my comprehension. You have blessed my life in so many different ways. I purpose to not just be a blessing receiver but a blessing giver so that people will truly know how good and loving You are. AMEN!