Blessed to be a Blessing

July 22, 2022

Blessed to Be a Blessing

Blessed to be a Blessing

By Brooke Holt

“Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:15-18

In my years of summer camp, we sang wonderful Christian songs. One particular song, “Pass It On,” immediately came to mind as I thought about this devotion. The Colossians were to receive this letter from Paul, read it in the church, and then pass it on to the Laodicean church. Apparently, the churches there were facing challenges like those in Colossae. Paul blessed the Colossians with his love, prayers, and writing, then wanted the recipients to become the givers. They were to travel the ten miles to Laodicea and share Paul’s words in the church to bless the church there.

Blessed to be a blessing. God pours out his blessings upon each of us. God blesses some people with the gift of prayer, financial abundance, wisdom, or the gifts of healing, teaching, or writing. God blesses his people and then calls those people to bless others with those gifts. It is what the church calls stewardship.

Stewardship is about our financial giving to the church and ministries, but stewardship far surpasses just money. There is stewardship of our spiritual gifts, time, talents, bodies, and opportunities. When you realize all you have and are is a gift from God, you can recognize the responsibility to use those gifts faithfully to glorify God and build his kingdom on this earth.

Just as Paul specifically encouraged Archippus to fulfill the ministry the Lord gave him, so he encourages you today. Are you being a faithful steward of all the Lord has entrusted to you? Do you recognize all the blessings in your life, and do you seek to bless others? The song “Pass It On” was about how a fire got going, grew, and then became a source of warmth for many to gather. That is the Lord’s call for you—recognize the gifts of the Lord in your life, nurture and enjoy the gifts, then share them to bless the community.

Reflection:

What are the gifts the Lord has entrusted to you? How are you using those gifts to bless others? Do you recognize you are blessed to be a blessing? We would love to hear how you are using your gifts or any other thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!