GOD’S FORMULA FOR BLESSING

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: profbenonyeukwu@gmail.com
  GOD’S FORMULA FOR BLESSING

Devotional Text: Prov. 3:7-10

Introduction:

By associating God’s way of blessing with the term “formula”, the writer wishes to show in an explicit manner, God’s plan in dealing with everything that tries to hinder our blessing. A formula is a plan that is made as a way of dealing with a problem. God’s blessing carries both Arithmetic and Geometric progression. “Give and it will be given to you”… (Arithmetic progression --- a series of numbers which increase or decrease by the same amount at each step, 3,6,9,12,15 etc). …”A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap” --- (Geometric progression –a series with a constant ratio between successive quantities, 1,3,9,27,81, etc). …”For with the measure you use… (Arithmetic or Geometric), it will be measured to you”, (Luke 6:38).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     God’s blessings are based on obeying His Word, (Deu. 28:1-6).

(2)     Blessings come by giving, (Luke 6:38).

(3)     Giving sparingly is receiving sparingly, (II Cor. 9:6).

(4)     God loves a cheerful giver, (II Cor. 9:7).

DIMENSIONS OF GIVING FOR BLESSING

            Principally, God blesses as people respond to His giving call. However, God’s giving call is not restricted to material giving. Every human being has two areas where he needs the blessings of God. Thus, everyone has both spiritual and materials needs.

(1)    Giving for Spiritual Blessing, (Eph. 1:3)

For one to receive spiritual blessings from God, one must embark on the following giving exercises;

(i)                   giving one’s heart to God (Prov. 23:26).

(ii)                 giving oneself to bible study, (I Peter 2:2)

(iii)                giving oneself to fellowship (Hebrew 10:25).

(iv)                giving oneself to prayer, (Matt. 7:7).

            Giving one’s old sinful heart to God will mean receiving a new heart from Him, (Eze. 36:26). Similarly, giving oneself to bible study will mean receiving spiritual growth (I Peter 2:2). Also giving oneself to fellowship will mean receiving spiritual encouragement, (Hebrew 10:25). Finally, giving oneself to prayer will definitely mean receiving answers to prayers, (Matt. 7:7). “{Give, and it will be given to you”, (Luke 6:38). The proportion of one’s giving (Arithmetic or Geometric) will determine how one receives. (See the inductory note).

(2)    Giving for Material Blessing, (Matt. 6:33)

            The above effort has demonstrated in concrete terms the importance of spiritual blessing. Nevertheless, taking cognizance of a popular quote that “no one who is financially bound that is totally spiritually free”. The writers insists in line with God’s word that for one to also receive material blessing from God, one must also embark on the following giving exercises;

(i)                   giving in offering (I Cor. 16:2).

(ii)                 giving in tithing, (Mal. 3:8-10).

(iii)                giving to the poor, (Prov. 19:17).

(iv)                giving for increase, (Prov. 3:9-10).

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”, (Luke 6:38).