17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

We think of being blessed as being given good things like health, money, and power. Yes, these things can be blessings, but today, let’s think about the true meaning of blessings and the road to receiving God’s blessings. Let’s take it step-by-step.

One.
The first step is recognizing and accepting that God is the only one who can bless us. Let that sink in. It’s not money or a good job or exercise or knowledge- only God can bless us. For many, the ways to being blessed or fortunate or well-off are varied. You need to learn this to be fortunate. You need to live this way and make these kinds of choices to be well-off. We’ve been indoctrinated into this kind of thinking. So, today, to understand the true meaning of blessing and to get on the road to receiving that blessing, we need to change this perception: only God can bless us.
Two.
Get off the road to destruction. If we are in the mindset that anything outside of God can bless our bodies and spirit, we need to get off that track immediately. If we’re on the path fueled by the belief that material things can make us happy, money can make us happy, or the right job can make us happy, we need to jump off that path right now! What path are you traveling on? What are the principles fueling toward reaching those objectives? If you believe anything outside of God will bring you good fortune, you need to stop and change paths. Understand that the only way to His blessings is to follow His commands. Follow His laws to receive His blessings.
Three.
Understand the true meaning of blessings. We automatically think good health is a blessing. Not so. Good health can be a blessing or a curse. Sometimes, getting sick or losing your health can be the best thing to happen if it brings you closer to God and rearranges your life in the right way. Good health can sometimes be a curse because it takes you to places you shouldn’t go. Same goes for knowledge and money. What we perceive as good fortune is a true blessing if it brings us closer to God and if God has His stamp of approval on those blessings. It doesn’t matter how rich or how great something is if God does not deem it a blessing.
Four.
Once blessed, use it in the right way. We recognize God is the only way to be blessed; we get off the road to destruction and follow His rules for being blessed; and we understand God is the true author of blessings in whatever form they come to us. What do we do to maintain God’s blessing and receive even more? How do we expand and grow under the umbrella of God’s blessings? We need to protect and nurture His blessings by doing four things: do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share. Doing good means putting God at the center of everything you do and acting God-centered. Being rich in good deeds is building on one, God-centered deed. Add another and another and another until you have a body of work that is God-centered. Being generous means after you have done with all your mind, body, and spirit to be God-centered, use what you have left to serve others. Share your blessings with others. Share your good fortune with others. If God has blessed you, share it with others and help them live God-centered lives. And finally, being willing to share doesn’t simply mean sharing your things. If someone is sad, share in their sadness. If someone is happy, genuinely share in their happiness. If someone is going through hardships, share in their hardship. In other words, become one with others and share in all their successes, failures, joys, and sadness; that is how you maintain and extend God’s blessings.

We’re all looking to be blessed in one way or another. We want a better tomorrow than today. We want life to get better with age, for the next life to be better than this. God is the only one who can provide answers and a way to fortune and blessings. Whatever choices you have made or whatever life you’re leading, stop now and think about God, for He is the only one who can bless you. Get right with God. Redefine your definition of being blessed; expand God’s blessings by doing good, being rich in good deeds, being generous, and sharing.

Click for Korean sermon https://soundcloud.com/yhpaik/1983-11-23-long