The amount of blessings that we receive from the Lord while we are on this planet are in direct proportion to the amount of service we provide for His kingdom.
Do you believe these words, do you realize it is the heart that the Lord sees, (1 Sam. 16:7) do you believe that He can tell who His children are from those who are not? Good intentions cannot be counted as service, profitable, blessed servants receive blessings, unprofitable ones do not, they are blessed with salvation, they may own many possessions, but they do not live their lives for Jesus Christ. Too many see their servitude to Almighty God as a part-time endeavor, His Word lays dusty on the bookshelf, the remote control for the television, the computer and the cell phone all show great signs of wear, the blessings of God do not rest in full upon any who do not place Him first in all matters of their lives, He is a jealous God, (Exo. 34:14) none are to come before Him, even themselves, and none who attempt to persuade Him will be blessed.
We try to fit God into an image of our making, this is how we envision Him, but we do not search the Scriptures to determine if those images we have is truly who He is. Far too many believe that they are being blessed because they possess many things, yet the debt load they carry does not withstand that so-called truth, the materialistic is how they portray blessings from God, and so the service, if you want to call it that, that they offer up to the Lord does not come from a heart of gratitude, but is more akin to a lucky charm, if they continue to do this, then God will do that, this construct has its beginnings in works, and it is one of the main pushing points of nearly every religious organization, and has slowly begun to creep into even evangelical circles. “Be good, or God will bring bad upon you,” and so they repeat the mantras, continue in their traditions, all in hope of not being noticed by God.
“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer. 17:10) You cannot hide from Him, it is impossible, every act that you have ever done has been recorded, (Eccl. 12:14) every whispered word will be shouted from the rooftop, (Luke 12:3) the game many people play with God is no game to Him, what has happened is that people have decided that God owes them blessings, that because of their one-hour a week servitude, He is going to bless them throughout the entire week. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Sam. 15:22)
We have been given commandments throughout the Scriptures, not suggestions, the master does not plead with the servant, yet far too many refuse to obey, they have placed Christ far down the list of their priorities. Every commandment we have been given we have been given with it the ability to observe and obey it, it would be ludicrous to order anyone to do something and then not give them the wherewithal to complete or continue in the appointed task. Therein is why the entirety of the blame is placed upon those who will not obey, the unprofitable servant has made himself unprofitable. We have been given charge over the vineyard, and we have produced very little to no fruit.
In all humility then, I ask you again, why should God bless you, of what profit to His kingdom are you, how have you been glorifying His name, how have you lifted up the name of Jesus, not last week, not last Sunday morning, but today, and how do you plan to do so again tomorrow? I cannot comprehend the mercy of our Lord, allowing some to enter into eternal joy, but only as if by fire, (1 Cor. 3:15) the unprofitable servants, the one who grew in no wise the kingdom of God, still being allowed entrance into glory.
Those who will be ashamed at His coming are many, and it grieves me to say so, but the facts are clear, the love of many is growing cold, those who stand behind the podium and scratch the itchy ears of those in the pews are becoming more prevalent, the world offers diversions, and far too many are mistaking them for blessings from God. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) Today that is defined by the state we deem as befitting to us, a life of ease, a lack of trials and tribulations, supposed blessings that many believe they deserve, because their intentions are good. Find the man that is in pain yet still serving, and you will see the blessings of God, find the couple that just lost their only child, and still praises His name and you will see the blessings of God.
Those whom God is blessing fear nothing in this world, poverty or riches, sickness or health, they know they are blessed. They know they are loved, neither untold riches or the valley of the shadow of death sways their perception of the word blessing. There are many who are deceiving themselves, that are being deceived, but soon the magic genie will disappear, he will become as worthless as the life they have been pretending to live.
There is still hope, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) Look at everything and everyone you love and know, look at the entirety of your life and see it for what it is, then beg forgiveness for your unprofitability, for being an unwilling and unyielding servant. He is ready and willing to forgive, He has rewards beyond comprehension waiting for those who will forsake all for Him, there are untold blessings just waiting to be poured out upon those who will but seek Him first, who will hold every thought captive for Him, (2 Cor. 10:5) who will deny and die to themselves. Then my friends, you will understand what the word blessing means.
