Just read a good devotional by Os Hillman (link goes to a different one, though, oddly enough). In it, he basically asks, "Why does God bless you?"
Using King David as his example (and 1 Chronicles 14:2 as his proof text), he posits that God blesses you individually for the sake of others. Specifically, "for his people Israel."
God blesses you to be a blessing to others. I see this evidenced in the efforts to provide disaster relief. We've seen hundreds of NOLA families assimilated into the DFW metroplex through the reproduction of blessing that originates from God and continues through those he has blessed so that others, in turn, have been blessed.
This reality also expresses the love nature of God wherein He continually calls people to Himself, even using disaster and tragedy to do so, by means of the propigation of blessing.
Once again, we have a friendly reminder that the things of God are not about you, its about everyone else. Yet -- paradoxically -- God has orchestrated a methodology that provides joy and blessing and abundance to you while accomplishing his eternal purpose.
September 16, 2005 10:29 AMSo rather than praying for gifts directly, you pray that your enemies receive the gift of being able to forgive and your rich neighbors receive the spiritual gifts of generousity and become more concerned with treasure in heaven so they don't bother asking you what happened to the lawn mower you borrowed?
I don't believe all the same things you do, but this post caught my eye and my imagination - and I see you have a sense of humor.
Posted by: David Weisman at September 22, 2005 11:22 PM