"Called to Be Loved" in American Sign LanguageSample

When We Bless Others, God Takes Care of Our Needs
By Rick Warren

“I will bless you … and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2 NIV)

Most Christians want to bless others through their gifts and resources. But more than a desire, God commands us to be a blessing to others because we have been blessed.

As you look for ways to bless others, keep in mind the four laws of God’s blessing:

1. Our blessings should flow to others.

The Bible teaches us that we are blessed not just so that we can feel good, not just so we can be happy and comfortable, but also so that we will bless others. God told Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing” (NIV). This is the first law of blessing: It must flow outwardly.

2. When we bless others, God takes care of our needs.

God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he’ll take care of our needs. There’s almost nothing that God won’t do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. In Luke 18:29-30, Jesus says, “I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come” (NLT).

When you care about helping other people, God assumes responsibility for your problems. And that’s a real blessing, for he’s much better at handling your difficulties than you are.

3. Our blessings to others will come back on us.

The more you bless other people and the more you help others, the more God blesses your life. Luke 6:38 tells us, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing” (MSG). You cannot out-give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, “I’m going to pour blessings out on you. We’ll play a little game here. Let’s see who will win. Let’s see who can give the most. The more you bless others, the more I’m going to bless you in return.”

4. The more God blesses us, the more he expects us to help others.

Jesus said it this way in Luke 12:48: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given” (GNT).

Talk It Over

What has been the motivation behind your desire to bless others in the past? Do you believe that motivation pleases God?

Based on the blessings of your life, what would you say God expects from you?

What will you do to bless someone today?