Blessed to Spiritually Bless

Scripture: Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice. Job 1:5

Observation: Job and his entire family is blessed. The children are clearly privileged, able to throw regular banquets and enjoy life. While later Satan will claim this is because of God's decision, there is no evidence that the children have any relationship with God. In fact, Job himself regularly worries that his children sin and curse God.

Instead, Job is the one who prays and offers burnt offerings for his children. Job reaches out to God for the forgiveness and blessing of his children - it is his regular practice, not theirs - and God responds to Job by blessing the children.

In making Abraham into a nation, God says he will make that nation "blessed to be a blessing", and that promise is passed through the Messianic promise to the church. Job receives God's blessing as a result of his faith, but he doesn't pass it along just by giving his children riches ... he passes on the blessing at a worship-based level. Job worships God for his children. Job blesses his children spiritually out of the spiritual blessing he has received.

Application: Blessing others out of my abundance shouldn't just be about giving money, or sharing our home, or providing for others. The blessing I pass to others can be through prayer, private sacrifice, and behind-the-scenes action. It can also be in my worship of God, dedicated for others. This isn't to redeem others, but to share God's love with them.

Prayer: My Lord and father, may others be in my heart today. May I find songs on the radio today and this weekend that praise you, but also that raise up others in my heart and mind, so I may dedicate those songs to you. Please pass your love to others. Amen.