Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Matthew 25:14-18

So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
Matthew 25:28-29

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 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.
Genesis 12:1-3

Bottom Line

We are blessed to be a blessing.

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22

With God’s blessing comes the responsibility to extend that blessing to others.

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Jeremiah 29:7

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.
Galatians 3:14

Through Jesus, we are to be carriers of God’s blessing to the world.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Acts 2:44

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3:10

Two ways we misuse our blessings:

1. Security
2. Status

“[I believed that] with enough savings and the right career, I could create a safety net that would protect me from anything life might throw my way.”
– John Cortines, God and Money

“I dreamed of having multiple homes, an exotic car, and the admiration of others for my financial success.”
– Greg Baumer, God and Money

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Action Steps

• Take a moment to reflect on 1 or 2 ways you have been blessed in your life and thank God for those blessings. Write them down.
• Take a step today towards sharing your blessings. Consider giving towards the Ministry Center project in Senegal. (Select “Ministry Center” if you give online or write “Ministry Center” on your giving envelope.)

If you don’t feel ready to give today, take a step towards learning more about what it means to live generously:

• Check out the Giving page on our website
• Go through the Roadmap to Generosity
• Listen to the Praxis Podcast episode on Generosity
• Listen to the podcast episode God and Money, The Bible Project
• Read the book True Riches by John Cortines & Gregory Baumer