Bible Verses About Blessings and Prosperity. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:2-5). Paul says, The world is yours. In all that he does, he prospers. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. Biblical blessings are often associated with protection and happiness. It is in Christ, the seed of Abraham, that we are blessed. Abraham was one-hundred and sixty years old when Jacob and Esau were born. While we should not seek suffering in this life, we should expect it, recognizing it as a part of the plan of a loving God who is bringing about our good and His glory. The Israelites were greatly blessed in number while they sojourned in Egypt (Exodus 1:5-7). We will be part of Gods family: They shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Peter, who once rejected the idea of suffering, later has much to say about suffering in his epistles. Nearly six hundred years passed from the promise of possessing this land to the time his seed actually acquired the land. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (1 Peter 3:13-17). At times like these, the Word of God becomes much more precious and meaningful: Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word (Psalm 119:67). Like Job, they would be badgered by their friends to find the sin in their life, and confess it so they could be blessed. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Browse the best Bible verses about blessings in this collection of scripture quotes: Photo credit: GettyImages/Digitalskillet. Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Temporal blessings are not to be measured so much in terms of material prosperity, physical health, or the absence of pain, as in the enjoyment of Gods presence. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. Gods blessings are based upon His grace and not our works. Of late I have been having discussions with my friends around what it means to be blessed. Moms come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing's for sureall moms need to connect with other moms! For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future all are yours, and you are Christs, and Christ is Gods. Enter into the joy of your master.. TopicalBible Notice that every creature of God is good;that is, every piece of beef, chicken, pork, fish or shellfish weeat is good and not to be withheld as unclean today. Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff Only in eternity will the full blessings of God be poured out on Gods people. I believe this text provides the key to understanding Gods blessings, especially their relationship to suffering and adversity. In Christ, God bore the curse of sin and death and provided for us eternal life in its place. To be spiritual they say is the assurance of earthly pleasures; to be sinful is to bring upon oneself pain and suffering. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. The same errors which plagued the Israelites and Christians of old are popular in evangelical Christianity today. They mock, and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. To have enough faith is to have the means to move God into blessing us as we think best, they say. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Gods promise to Abraham included a land and a seed. Abrahams seed was to begin with a son. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God (1 Peter 4:14-16). Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him . If you have not trusted in Gods promise of blessing in Jesus Christ, then you are under the curse of sin. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. What an amazing promise--a promise which will surely be fulfilled! The point I wish to underscore here are the two very different categories of saints. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. Thou dost make us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to those around us. Jesus called blessed those who were poor, hungry, and sorrowful. He and his mother struggled with Isaac and Esau. Deuteronomy 8:2-6; 28; 30:15-20 This is not a blessing. So death works in us, but life in you. Our heart has not turned back, And our steps have not deviated from Thy way, Yet Thou hast crushed us in a place of jackals, And covered us with the shadow of death. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This was the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:5-7; 13:14-15) whose boundaries were more fully defined in Genesis 15:18-21. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Our text speaks only of Old Testament saints. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Phone: (262) 255-4750 Whether God in His goodness enables us to succeed, or whether His grace enables us to endure our suffering, let us realize that God is able to make use of suffering to produce blessings. Thats the New Testament pattern: sacrificial generosity and service now; spectacular blessing later at the resurrection. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. Peter rejected the thought out of hand. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. In everything [not just some thingsand not just spiritual things] give thanks: for this is thewill of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thes. This child was not merely an adopted heir, but Abrahams own son (Genesis 15:1-6). We now desire that which we once found offensive and repulsive. The first recorded promise of Abrahams son was made when Abraham was seventy-five years old (Genesis 12:4).98 Yet the child was not born to Abraham and Sarah until he was one-hundred years old (Genesis 21:5). He was not only to be the son of Abraham but of Sarah as well (Genesis 17:15-21). What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. By faith, these saints conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises,103 shut the mouths of lions, received their dead back to life, and so on. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. When affliction comes into our life, we do not pray for Gods grace, nor do we ask God for wisdom, patience, or endurance. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Because he was just and right in all his dealings. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. One only needs enough faith to be confident God hears and answers our prayers as we desire. Foolishly, they sought to keep the Israelites subject to them as slaves and to keep them from leaving their land (Exodus 1:8-22). I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. All of this made no sense to the Jews. So it is today. For He knows the secrets of the heart. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. L You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? What the Bible says about Blessings, Physical ( From Forerunner Commentary ) Proverbs 3:9-10 By paying to God what we owe Him (that is, His tithes), He rewards us with blessings. N When God promised Abraham that his seed was to be a blessing to all nations, this was a part of Abrahams blessing. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. A Psalm of David. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessings, Physical Z. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. He suffered because of his impatience in acquiring a son through Hagar. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. The very food we eat everyday would also be classified aphysical blessing. The suffering of some saints should be no more troublesome to us than the success of some saints, or even the success of some sinners. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Gods blessings are the fulfillment of His promise and the conclusion of a process which includes suffering and sorrow. The Christian life should be lived out in the light of the superiority of God's promised blessings in comparison to the "blessings" an ungodly world holds out to us (Hebrews 11:24-26). My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. Blessings that we receive, whether material or spiritual, all have to do with the coming of God's Kingdom, whether here and now in small glimpses, or eternally when God makes all things new (Revelation 21:5, Isaiah 43:19). Salvation is "in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:10). The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (4) What, if any, are the differences between temporal and eternal blessings? Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (CEV), If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do his: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 (TEV), God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Undergrace, eating a ham sandwich is acceptable. This is what it means to be truly blessed. In fact, suffering can be a blessing in the hand of God. To belong to Christ is to belong to God as our Father and to be heirs of all that God owns that is, everything. Jesus simply did not fit the mold of Jewish expectations. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, What in the World Is Going On? The Book of Hebrews brings the Old Testament faith into focus and clearly describes the nature of the blessings God promised and for which believers waited in faith. Psalm 19:9. Jeremiah 29:11 planning hope promises. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (8) Divine cursing or condemnation is based upon an individuals decision and works. While the Old Testament records many instances in which Israel suffered for their sins, texts like this one in Psalm 44 indicate there are times when Gods people suffer innocently, for His sake (see verse 22). To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9). And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. And is there knowledge with the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth. (10) Blessing and cursing have present manifestations, but they are not fully manifested until the second coming of Christ. He is author of. He leads me beside still waters. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Jacob saw much strife in his family and suffered much over the loss of Joseph and then Benjamin. These can all be good things, but I think you could also argue that if these blessings lead us further away from God, they are not truly blessings at all. And he said to his disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. Transcript Craig Scott Pastor, United Church of God Not one of them received the promised blessing. The story of the rich man and Lazarus underscore this principle (see Luke 16:19-31). It is the blessing which comes from faith in Jesus Christ and not from human effort or achievement. With that in mind, what is a biblical definition of what it means to be truly blessed?. The difference between these two categories is not that one group has faith while the other does not. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.. 1. The plan of God is to bring about His own glory and the Christians good (or blessing). (11) Ultimately, blessing or cursing are the result of ones response to Gods provision of forgiveness and righteousness in Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham (see Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6; John 3:18; 14:6; 1 John 5:12). Pastor Sadler, you referred to our having physical blessings today. The blood of Christ has taken away the guilt of our sins, and we stand before the Father as perfectly accepted. I will take away sickness from among you. We begin to make decisions and to pursue a course of action which takes away the pain. Some toyed with the thought of turning back into Judaism to escape persecution. Sign up now to receive Two Minutes With the Bible every day in your email inbox. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. This means that you do not get all your blessings in this life, but that death itself belongs to you as a gift, as a doorway to infinite, eternal, immeasurable blessing. They were blessed by God, through faith. God is not the only one who pronounces blessings. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. Why are they wrong? Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other. Romans 1:12 (NLT), You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. The apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13). J As I conclude this lesson, let me share a quotation by Harold Stigers in his commentary of the Book of Genesis: God designs certain tests and trials in regard to earthly things so that we may see that our inheritance resides in God Himself--in our finding them nothing without Him, and Him everything even without them.104. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. We will experience Gods comfort: They shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4). Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Thou dost sell Thy people cheaply, And hast not profited by their sale. They will likely be a part of an Arab confederation known as "the king of the South" (Daniel 11:40-41 . And in so doing, we actually miss the blessing God has for us in affliction. These are not always material blessings, however. E Jacob struggled with Laban (see Genesis 31:42). Our very clothing is a physicalblessing. Berean Bible Society They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. The Bible teaches that all spiritual blessings are available only "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). (18) Christians will suffer--and not just for sin. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. His blessing is the reversal of the curse (see Genesis 12:1-3; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Gods earthly blessings were dependent upon Israels obedience to His Law. A beautiful way to begin any new year is with a dox This is one of the reasons Jesus teaching and His offer of the kingdom was rejected. Good will comes to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.