The concept of being “blessed” is central to the Christian faith. At its core, being blessed means receiving God’s favor, prosperity, and spiritual rewards. The Bible uses different words like “blessed”, “favored”, and “happy” to convey this idea of divine blessing and approval. When we are blessed, we experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that comes from an intimate relationship with God. So what are some key things the Bible teaches about being blessed?
Blessings Come from God
The most fundamental truth about biblical blessing is that it originates from God alone. Blessings are not something we earn or conjure up on our own. James 1:17 states that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” Every blessing – whether material or spiritual – is an act of divine grace. We are completely dependent on God for favor and prosperity. He is the ultimate giver of all things good. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 details the extensive blessings God promises for those who obey Him. The passage uses words like “blessed shall you be” to underscore God as the source. His divine favor causes us to prosper and succeed. So to be blessed is to receive from God’s beneficent hand.
Blessings Must Be Received by Faith
While God freely gives blessings, we receive them by faith. Believing God’s promises and having faith in His character is necessary for experiencing divine blessing. When God makes a promise, we demonstrate faith by fully expecting and depending on Him to fulfill it. The Bible likens this to inheriting the promises (Hebrews 6:12). The inheritance is freely bequeathed, but must be received. Several scriptures show how faith is the means for receiving blessing. Mark 11:24 states that when we pray, we must believe we receive. Matthew 21:21 says “if you have faith and do not doubt, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” These verses reveal that faith is the channel through which God’s blessings flow into our lives. Through believing prayer and unwavering faith, we gain access to God’s abundant provision.
Obedience and Righteous Living Release Blessings
While God alone blesses, our actions and lifestyle also play a role. Obedience to God’s commands and living righteously releases divine blessing. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says if we “fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all his commands, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you because you obey the Lord your God.” Likewise, Psalms 1:1-3 pronounces blessings on those who avoid evil and delight in God’s law. So obedience and righteous living position us to receive the fullness of what God desires to give. It removes the barriers that hold back blessing and allows it to freely flow. Right standing with God through faith and obedience grants access to the reservoir of divine prosperity. As James 4:8 states “come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Blessings Must Be Stewarded Well
Since blessings originate from God, we are accountable for how we manage them. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. Just as we freely receive, we must freely give (Matthew 10:8). Being blessed includes generous giving and using what God provides to bless others. The parable of the talents illustrates this responsibility to be good stewards and make the most of what God gives (Matthew 25:14-30). Blessings also carry a duty to use prosperity rightly, not become proud or indulge the flesh. Deuteronomy 8:11-18 warns against forgetting God or taking credit for blessings, lest they be removed. So blessing requires responsibility and stewardship. We manage and invest blessings in a way that honors God’s generosity.
Blessings Are Meant to Point to Christ
Ultimately, every blessing finds its true meaning in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 says God has blessed us in Christ “with every spiritual blessing.” Divine favor finds its supreme fulfillment in the salvation, hope, purpose, and destiny we have in Jesus Christ. He is the supreme blessing that gives context to every other gift from God. Blessings like joy, provision, family, and health all flourish through having Christ at the center. His presence and lordship is the unifying theme that anchors and gives meaning to every blessing. The Psalmist declares “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26). Every gift flows from the fountainhead of God’s blessing – the coming of His Son Jesus.
The “Beatitudes” Provide a Portrait of Blessing
Perhaps the richest portrait of blessing in scripture is found in the Beatitudes that Jesus pronounced in Matthew 5:3-12. In this passage, Jesus details the inner qualities and outward conditions that characterize the blessed life:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus connects true blessing with spiritual poverty, mourning, meekness, righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and persecution. Some of these states seem contradictory to being “blessed.” But Jesus is revealing a counterintuitive kingdom ethic where blessing is found in conditions opposite those the world values. The Beatitudes provide a picture of God’s favor resting on those who exhibit Christlike character. God’s smile uniquely falls upon those who reflect the virtues Jesus describes.
Pursuing Blessing the Wrong Way Leads to Bondage
Since blessing belongs to God alone, we can fall into the trap of pursuing it in unhelpful ways. When we try manufacturing, manipulating, or attempting to earn blessings through self-effort, it leads to bondage, frustration, and despair. A prime example is Abraham and Sarah when they produced Ishmael through human effort rather than waiting on God’s timing to bless them with Isaac (Genesis 16). We see this also in the folly of Israel adopting pagan idols, hoping they would provide prosperity and protection. But it only brought slavery and ruin, separating them from God’s blessing. When we resort to our own strategies, it inevitably fails. Blessing only comes through faith in God’s provision and living by the Spirit (Galatians 3:1-5). We must resist trying to make it happen ourselves. Only restful faith and trust bring freedom to receive God’s blessings.
Blessing Comes Through Righteous Living
The Bible repeatedly connects blessing with righteous, holy living. Obeying God’s commands, avoiding evil, and conducting ourselves uprightly before Him positions us to receive divine prosperity. After instructing Israel to carefully follow His commands, God says “The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground – in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you” (Deuteronomy 28:11). Obedience led to material and physical blessing. In contrast, evil and disobedience cut off blessing. Isaiah 59:2 states “your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you.” So righteous conduct removes obstacles to blessing, while sinful behavior blocks it. A holy life opens the floodgates of heaven.
Godly Wisdom and Integrity Lead to Blessing
The book of Proverbs continuously connects wisdom and integrity with prosperity and blessing. It states that blessings pursue the righteous because they make wise choices and have integrity. Proverbs 28:20 promises “the trustworthy will get a rich reward” while Proverbs 11:18 says “he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Living wisely – through financial prudence, honest business practices, sound choices, and responsible planning – positions us for stability and prosperity. It avoids the ruin and correction brought by foolishness. Conversely, the crooked and unscrupulous may seem to prosper, but eventual loss and judgment awaits them. So wisdom and integrity enacted bring assured reward.
Generosity Unlocks Greater Blessing
While poverty and need do not necessarily indicate lack of blessing, Scripture clearly shows that generosity and blessing are closely tied. It reveals a self-perpetuating cycle – as we sow generously, even greater blessing flows back in return. 2 Corinthians 9:6 declares “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” As we freely bless others from a Spirit-inspired heart, God in turn pours out even greater abundance on us. He multiplies what is given so even more can be given away. So blessing comes not through greedy hoarding but liberal sharing. As Jesus said “give, and it will be given to you…for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). Freely releasing blessing brings even greater prosperity.
Believers Inherit Eternal Blessing in Christ
All the blessings of this life find their ultimate fulfillment in the eternal blessing granted in Christ. While God desires us to prosper and live blessed now, the fullness awaits us in eternity. Psalm 133:3 says God gives “life forevermore” to those who take refuge in Him. Ephesians 1:3 says that in Christ, God has blessed us with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” While the wicked may seem to prosper in this age, the blessing of the righteous will endure forever (Psalm 112:2-3). Revelation 14:13 pronounces a final benediction – “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…that they may rest from their labors.” Eternal rest, peace, and provision await all who put their final hope in Christ. The temporal gives way to the eternal blessing.
Conclusion
To live a blessed life is to drink deeply of God’s goodness, favor, and bountiful provision. It flows from His generous heart to those who place unwavering faith and confidence in Him. While blessing far exceeds material prosperity, it certainly includes physical, financial, relational, and spiritual fullness. As we maintain a vital connection to God through faith and obedience, His life-giving blessing will sustain us each step of the way. Ultimately, all blessings find their consummation in the Person and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. He is the great Blessing towards which all other gifts point. In Him alone is found the fountainhead of true blessedness.