The first time the word "rich" is found in Scripture is concerning Abram. Of him the Bible says, "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold" (Gen 13:2). Many would say that Abram was blessed of God, and I completely agree. However, it is interesting that this Hebrew word for "rich" also means, "heavy"... "Abram was very heavy in cattle, in silver, and in gold". This Hebrew word is also translated "grievous" 8 times, "sore" 4 times, and "hard" 4 times. It is a known fact that such riches can actually become a "heavy", "grievous" or "sore" burden! Actually, Scripture tells us that they who are "increased" do load themselves up with "thick clay" (Hab 2:6).
Of course, God's blessing, in and of itself, is never to be a burden (Prov 10:22), but the effect of His blessing can indeed become burdensome and "heavy" if we are irresponsible and disobedient with it. A material gain can quickly turn sour if taken down a carnal route. The attitude of the child of God should never be that of a hoarder! The words "me, me, me, mine, my..." should not be so consistent in our vocabularies. Rather, because the love of God courses through our veins, we should be continually willing to disperse God's blessing to those around us in need (Acts 2:44; 4:32). If we ignore such Godly convictions, our material gains will no doubt become as "thick clay" in our greedy hands: heavy, dirty, and burdensome!
I have constantly noticed that God's people are often taught to be the sole recipient of blessing rather than the channel of blessing. Which would you rather be? The "blessee" or the "blesser"? Perhaps we shouldn't answer that question out loud ;) Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I want to briefly look at a story in Scripture, which will show us the reasons why we're to be blessed. Isn't that an important detail? Shouldn't we be concerned with God's motives for increasing us? It may come as a shock to some that God's bountiful blessing is usually for a higher and divine purpose, rather than to simply pad our wallets.
The story is found in Exodus 12. When the Hebrews left the bondage of Egypt, the Bible says they took great spoils with them: "And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians" (Exod 12:35-36).
How awesome that the people of God, who were once bound as slaves to the Egyptians, were now in possession of riches! What a wonderful blessing! However, if we keep reading, we will discover the reason why God caused the Egyptians to hand over their goods. Was it for them to live in the lap of luxury? Was it so that they could possess slaves of their own one day? Not at all. Rather, it was to furnish the building of the coming tabernacle (Exod 35-36)! Notice that in Exodus 12:36, part of the verse reads "so that they lent unto them such things as they required..." These good were required to construct the "church in the wilderness", after the pattern later shown to Moses (Exod 25:40). The people to whom these materials were entrusted to knew they were simply the channels by which provision would come. They were not the sole recipients of the blessing.
When the Lord's people are put into the possession of such riches, it is because the Lord has need of them. How gracious that the Hebrews "offered willingly". And as former slaves, what a temptation it must have been to hide a bit away! But they did not. They knew that they were to be the channel of blessing, not only the recipient! In fact, the Hebrews had to be restrained of their giving, because they were giving too much (Exod 36:6)! Wow! Today, people often must be constrained and begged to give. But then, the people had to be restrained! What a sad contrast.
In my opinion, the body of Christ is in lack today because there are redeemed ones who hoard the blessing. They are not liberal, but real love is ALWAYS liberal (1 Jn 3:17)! This is how the early church functioned. Each of them was a channel to spread God's blessing to the next; they literally had all things common. What a wonderful testimony! And we wonder why we don't possess the qualities the early church did? It seems obvious to me. Extravagant devotion to God and to your neighbor will birth an extravagant response by God (signs and wonders)! We cannot be idle in most areas of Christianity and expect an explosion of favor in another. This is why Paul encourages us toward "ALL the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).
Dear reader, may we never be a mere recipient of God's blessing, be it His love, glory, favor, mercy, material gain, etc. Such a person does not possess an inner heart after God. But may we be as that bread broken by the Lord Jesus: He took the bread, he blessed it, he broke it, AND THEN HE GAVE IT OUT. What a precious example for us to follow. Such is the only means by which the multitudes of Earth's people will be won and fed (Mk 6:41-42). When they see a people who are willing to lay down their very lives for their neighbor, they will SEE the love of God (1 Jn 3:16)! "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (Jn 13:35).
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