I awoke one morning and realized that we have always sung this song: ‘Abraham’s blessings are mine, Abraham’s blessings are mine, I am blessed in the morning, the noon, in the evening, Abraham’s blessings are mine.’ That very day, I asked myself, what are Abraham’s blessings that we have always claimed in the place of prayer? Can they be measured by the number of cars we own or the houses we build?
Indeed, Abraham’s blessings include silver and gold and all other material blessings you can ever talk about. However, if those are the only things we consider Abraham’s blessings, we have missed it completely.
Abraham was a man the Lord found when He was looking for a man through whom all nations of the earth could be blessed. He found Abraham worthy and decided to establish the covenant of blessing upon his life so that through him and his descendants, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. As the scripture affirms, ‘In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice’ (Genesis 22:18)
His blessings are covenanted blessings that extend beyond the boundaries of material possessions. Moreover, his blessings are contagious. Therefore, anyone connected to him or his descendants is required to be equally blessed.
Abrahamic blessings are beyond what to drink and what to wear. The purpose of his blessings is to become a blessing to others. Bishop David Oyedepo once said that the prosperity that the Lord promised Abraham was to launch him into charity. As a child of God, if you are claiming Abraham’s blessings, you must be ready to be completely sold out to the Lord and be a blessing to others.
Abrahamic blessing is not completely about getting all that you need but going above and beyond to take care of the needy, being the eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. You may say, ‘But I’m not financially buoyant enough to take care of myself, let alone someone else.’ Let me tell you this: if you have not learned how to be a blessing to others with the little in your hands, don’t expect God to trust you with much. God knows your heart. If you have difficulties sharing with others the little in your hands, He knows you cannot become a custodian of true riches. Remember, the Bible says, ‘He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?’ (Luke 16:10-11).
To fully manifest Abrahamic blessings, you must possess what is called unselfish thinking. You must always be thinking of how the Lord can use your life to enhance other people’s lives. Before you go out in the morning, you must be intentional about doing so. You must be willing to put yourself in a position where you can see people’s needs and do something about them. Let God see your genuine love for others by not thinking about yourself alone. Apostle Paul encourages us, ‘Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4). Once you cultivate the ability to think unselfishly, you are climbing the ladder of greatness because greatness is not about what you have but what you give. This is the reason John C. Maxwell asserted, ‘Instead of trying to be great, be part of something greater than yourself.
I would also like us to take it further by viewing Abrahamic blessings beyond giving to the poor. I understand that the term ‘being a blessing to others’ is often considered a form of monetary blessing or charity. However, I must tell you that when you take a critical look at Abraham’s life, you will understand that the grace upon his life surpassed charity. The blessings upon his life automatically extended to everyone who got connected to him.
For instance, when Lot was with Abraham, he was blessed just like Abraham. He had flocks and herds and tents to the extent that the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together (Genesis 13:6).
We also see this pattern in the life of Jacob, one of the descendants of Abraham. While in Laban’s house, Laban experienced the hand of God and became prosperous. The Bible records, ‘And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake’ (Genesis 30:27).
How about Joseph? While in Potiphar’s house, the Lord blessed Potiphar because of Joseph. The Bible also records, ‘So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field’ (Genesis 39:5).
Beloved, until this grace begins to operate in one’s life, one is not fully manifesting the blessings of Abraham. Therefore, it is high time for us to stop perceiving Abrahamic blessings only from the lens of financial prosperity, but as a covenant that makes us a channel of blessing to others in all ramifications of life, for through the seeds of Abraham, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
When you carry the blessings of Abraham, it should be evident anywhere you go. When people see you, they should see the hand of God upon your life, which has a positive impact on their lives, too. People should have a testimony that since they met you, their lives haven’t remained the same. If you are opportune to work in a company, there should be a multiplication of blessings because of your presence. The blessings should be so evident, the same way Laban noticed that the presence of Jacob brought blessings into his house.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, more than praying for the financial aspect of Abrahamic blessings, pray to God to enable you to fully manifest the grace that was upon Abraham. This is a higher dimension of Abrahamic blessings.
However, I must tell you that the foundation of receiving the Abrahamic blessings is having a closer walk with God. You need to become a friend of God. If you have not fully given your life to Jesus, you may receive crumbs but not the fullness of God’s blessings that the Lord promised Abraham.
One other thing you need to do is get rid of greed and self-centeredness. No matter how you pray and fast, if the spirit of greed and self-centeredness has eaten deep into you, you cannot carry the blessings of Abraham. The blessings of Abraham are only available to those who are willing to allow God’s resources to pass through them. These covenant blessings were perfected in the life of Abraham after God saw that Abraham would be willing to give back whatever had been given to him. So, if you are the type who doesn’t think about others, the grace of Abrahamic blessings may not be extended to you.
In conclusion, the purpose of Abraham’s blessings is to be a blessing to others. Consistently pray for the grace to go out of your way to be a blessing and trust God to make your life a channel of blessings to others. As you begin to do so, you will be amazed at how the Lord will shower you with His mercy.
No Comments