PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies);
ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
BECOMING GOD’S CHANNEL OF BLESSING
Main
Text:
“Now the Lord has said to Abraham: Get out
of your country from your family, and from your father’s house to a land that I
will show you… I will bless you, and you shall be a blessing”, (Genesis 12:2).
INTRODUCTION:
The
initial story of Abram (Abraham) in the Bible unfolds God’s willingness to
bless those who obey him. It also exposes His desire to open-up human channels
of blessing for the free-flow of His goodness to the generality of mankind.
In fact, we experience uneven distribution of the blessings of God on earth,
not because He is not willing to bless all, but because someone wants to
take-it-all alone. But, the expression of the Lord to Abraham, “I will bless
you… and you shall be a blessing”… as we have in (Genesis 12:2) is a clear
indication that, as God blesses one, He expects one to bless others. Having
cited the above please, notice that;
GOD’S
CHANNEL OF BLESSING IS NOT SELFISH
Selfishness,
in the words of William Gladstone is the greatest curse of the human race. This
aphorism brings to focus the economic plight of many in the world of plenty. It
pictures a scenario where one takes too much for oneself, while too many die in
abject poverty. This does not reflect the plan of God for the human race,
especially the Christians who are Abraham’s children by faith. Thus …”I will
bless you”… (Genesis 12:2b), portrays God’s plan to bless one with money and materials
…and ‘you shall be a blessing’… (Gen.12;2c) shows His plan for one who is
blessed to bless others. Also, in keeping with God’s principles of
righteousness, those who wish to become God’s channels of blessing must;
(i)
turn
their hearts towards His statutes and not towards selfish gain, (Psalm 119:36);
(ii)
not
be unfriendly individuals who pursue selfish ends, but, people of selfless
services, (Prov. 18:1);
(iii)
not
be people of selfish ambitions, but, those of sincerity of purpose, (Phil.
1:17), etc.
From the Scripture cited above, one can notice that
God’s channels of blessing in the church, business or social life are expected
to be upright and selfless in their chosen endeavour.
GOD’S CHANNEL OF BLESSING PROVIDES
FOR THE LESS-PRIVILEGED
Tenderness of the heart is one of the
qualities of those raised by God as channels of blessing. Such individuals are
always moved with compassion over the plights of the people, especially the
down-trodden. They demonstrate love without hypocrisy. In view of their moral
profiles, they are not like some politicians who pretend to love as a way of
attaining political gains. They are equally not like some pastors who put in
place pseudo welfare programmes to ensure members remain their milk-cows. Furthermore,
God’s channels of blessing are not like some traditional rulers who embark on
projects which seem to alleviate poverty, but in the actual fact, are ways of
siphoning community funds. But rather, God’s channels of blessing sincerely;
(i)
Distribute
to the needs of the saints, (Roman 12:13);
(ii)
Demonstrates
hospitality to lift the needy out of affliction, (Psalm 107:41).
(iii)
Work
with God to lift the needy out of affliction, (Psalm 107:41)
In
other words, God’s channels of blessing are partners in progress with the Lord.
In the church they distribute to the need of the saints. In society, they are
instruments the Lord uses to lift the needy out of their pains. They are people
of honest hospitality.
GOD’S CHANNEL OF BLESSING IS NOT
TRIBALISTIC
Individuals raised by God as
channels of blessing are always open-hearted. They have the marks of the
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men. Put differently, they see
everybody as one, irrespective of tribe or nationality. If in government; they
ensure that appointments and social amenities are evenly distributed. If in any
other positions of public trust, they ensure that nobody is sidelined on the
basis of sex, religion, ethnicity or race. Their interest in service is to
help, uplift and bring people to line-light. But today, many who are supposedly
channels of blessing are on the contrary, thus:
(i)
Political
appointments are based on tribal considerations and not on public character
policy;
(ii)
Provisions
of social amenities are based on ethnic sentiments and not on identified need
of an area;
(iii)
Scholarship
awards are based on “my own people mentality” and not on the basis of the
empowerment of those in need, etc.
In conclusion, let it be noted that the three
points raised in the last segment of this project show a complete departure
from God’s words, … “in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed”,
(Gen. 12:3b) and by this, the reader’s attention is drawn to the fact that
God’s channels of blessing are designed to bless, uplift and demonstrates
fairness to all people(s), irrespective of tribe, religion or race. BLESS SOMEONE TODAY.
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