5 Keys to Being Abundantly Blessed
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
The verse above is an incredible promise to believers. It promises that we will always have what we need to accomplish what God has for us to do.
Walk in the Fullness of the Blessing
This verse comes on the heels, however, of scriptures regarding giving of finances – a subject that is not too popular among many Christians. 2 Corinthians 6-7 reads, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (ESV).
God wants us to walk in the fullness of the blessing – the fullness of what Jesus bought and paid for when He died on the cross for us. Did you know that there is more available to help you with your Christian walk than salvation? Don't get me wrong – salvation is THE #1 most important thing that Jesus gives us. But what about our lives now? Well, He wants us to do the good works that He has called us to do, and better yet, He wants to underwrite that plan as well. To underwrite something means to guarantee financial support.
Keep Your Focus on Jesus
The place that we can miss it is being more focused on the finances than on God. Matthew 6:33 says to "seek first the KINGDOM OF GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS." That is where our focus should remain – on Him. Whenever we do that, the rest of that verse will naturally follow – "and all these things will be added to you."
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
God wants to be number one in each of our lives. But here's the thing. When we seek Him, we will find Him. And when we find Him, we will experience His goodness and grace for whatever we are facing or need because that is who He is – GOOD!
Read Keep Your Eyes on Jesus here.
Sowing and Reaping
In fact, God wants to show us His goodness and grace so much that He provided a "system" in His kingdom that works the same way sowing and reaping works in the natural. After you plant a seed in the ground, there is a waiting period when we tend the soil by watering and pulling weeds around that seed. Then when it is ready, we harvest the produce from that seed.
We know and are familiar with how that process of sowing and harvesting works. I live in farming and ranching country, so I hear a lot of sowing and reaping conversations. Many times, they are talking about if they will have a good harvest or not. Now, the crop that our farmers get doesn't stay here in our little town. We don't need that many sunflower seeds or corn. No, some of the harvests are kept back to take care of the cattle and different needs of their own, but most of it is sold and shipped, providing a product for others who have not planted their own seed.
We would think a farmer was crazy if he sowed his seed in the ground and then didn't care about it or think of it ever again. But that is how Christians approach giving and receiving in the church. We often sow a financial seed and then don't consider the harvest of that seed. Remember that the return on your giving is as natural as sowing and reaping in the ground. We need to reap so that we have something more to give.
5 Keys to be Abundantly Blessed
Obey. Deut. 28:1-2 says, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
Sow. Malachi 3:10-12 reads, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, Says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. and I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for your in the field.”
Water your seed with the Word. Speak the Word of God over your giving. Speak scriptures such as Mal 3:10, Prov 3:9-10, 2 Cor. 9:6-11, Phil 4:19
Praise the Lord. “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.” Psalm 67:5-6
Don’t grow weary. Galatians 6:9 (AMPC): “Let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap (an abundant harvest), if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”
Have an Abundance for Every Good Thing
Our primary scripture for this blog says, "that we may have an abundance for every good work." What is it that God has called you to do? What need are you called to meet in the body of Christ? Almost anything we are called to do takes resources to accomplish, and God wants to be your source. He doesn't want you looking anywhere else but to Him.
The congregation that my husband and I pastor not only lives by sowing and reaping as farmers and ranchers, but they are faithful to give back to the Lord through tithes and offerings. They don't give because of necessity but because they love God and honor Him in their lives. Because of that, their farms and ranches are blessed as well as our church. Therefore, as a church body, we reach and do more for the Kingdom of God than most churches, double or triple our size. I don't say that to brag on our church, but to point out that the simple Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping works.
Schaffer Ministries is an offshoot of our church, New Hope Church. Our mission is to Bring Hope Home – right to where you live, no matter how near or far you are. Our town is small, but through Schaffer Ministries, we can expand our ministry to reach all over the United States and worldwide. We do that through our blogs, books, Bible Study teachings, and other valuable resources to help you bring the hope of Jesus to your life and situation.
We also have plans to expand the ministry to include a weekly podcast and digital courses. Our heart is to give away as many resources and materials that we can. Partnering with this ministry will help us do that. We are a non-profit 501(c)3, which means that any gift to this ministry is tax-deductible.
I would love to hear your testimony of sowing and reaping. Please share in the comments how God has blessed you through your obedience to sow. Maybe God has given you grace and favor in a job, or He has extraordinarily protected your home or belongings. Your testimony of God's goodness will encourage all of us!