Life Principle 25
God blesses us so that we might bless others. (Eph 4:28)
God blesses us so that we might bless others. (Eph 4:28)
Life’s Questions
Does your love for God motivate you to serve others? Does your relationship with Him inspire you to comfort other people just as He has done for you? This is the heart of Life Principle 25 and a truth which you must embrace if you want to experience the abundant life: God blesses us so that we might bless others.
You may feel that you don’t have much to offer people, but you do. In fact, there are many ways that you can minister to others with the abilities and resources that God has given to you. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can share your faith with those who have never experienced forgiveness for their sin and don’t know where they will spend eternity. If God has given you talents or provided you with a good income, you can help others with what you’ve been given. 1 Peter 4:10 teaches, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Are you willing to be a good steward of what God has provided? Then look for opportunities to bless others.
What the Bible Says
Read Ephesians 4:1–6. What are the qualities of a life that is worthy of Christ (1–3; also see Col. 3:12–13)?
Why are these qualities important as you follow Jesus (4–6; 5:1–2)?
*** Jesus poured out His life so that others could be saved (see Luke 19:10). If you’re going to represent Him (see 2 Cor. 5:20), shouldn’t you be like Him in character and purpose?
Read Ephesians 4:7–16. What did Christ give believers so that they could bless one another (7–8)?
What is your spiritual gift (11–12; also see Rom. 12:4–8)? Why has that gift been given to you (13–16)?
Read Ephesians 4:17–32. What change is there to be in the way you view yourself and others (21–24; also see Phil 2:1–4)?
What is to be your goal concerning others (28–29)?
Why do negative attitudes or selfish actions towards others grieve the Holy Spirit (30–31; also see Rom. 8:26–29)?
What would bring joy to the Holy Spirit (32)?
What It Means
The Ephesian church was very blessed because Ephesus was a wealthy and influential city in Asia Minor which had extraordinary potential for spreading Christianity. As Paul sat in prison (see Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), he must have thought about the amazing influence for Christ that the Ephesians could have on the world. However, he knew that they first had to learn that their true wealth wasn’t in earthly riches, but in spiritual blessings by which they encouraged others (see Eph. 1).
Paul taught them in Acts 20:35, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” They needed to realize that the reason God had given them such immense blessings was so that they would use them for His glory and for the furtherance of the gospel. The same is true for you. God’s gifts to you were never meant to be hoarded. They were given to be used wisely as you minister to others through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
*** It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32–34)
Life Examples
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–11. What makes you different from other believers (4–6)? How are you to be like other believers?
For whom does the Holy Spirit give you gifts, talents, and blessings (7)?
Why do you think the Holy Spirit wanted you personally to have the gifts that you’ve received (11)?
Are you using your gifts in a way that honors God and blesses others?
Living the Principle
Who are the special people that God used to shape your life? Do you ever consider how much they gave for you and how willingly they shared the gifts that God provided to them? They were faithful to bless you with what God had given them, and you should be, too.
Can you be trusted with the blessings that God has given you? Does your love for God motivate you to minister to others in His name and for His glory? Does your relationship with Him inspire you to give freely so that others can know His salvation, comfort, and joy? Only you can stop God’s goodness from flowing through your life and into the lives of others—and you do it by hoarding His gifts. Therefore, count your blessings and look for opportunities to shine His light and love into other’s lives. Then watch how God works. Soon you’ll see that it truly is much more blessed to give than to receive.
If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Phil. 2:17)
How will you live out Life Principle 25 this week? Discuss ways that you can share your gifts and blessings with others. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Does your love for God motivate you to serve others? Does your relationship with Him inspire you to comfort other people just as He has done for you? This is the heart of Life Principle 25 and a truth which you must embrace if you want to experience the abundant life: God blesses us so that we might bless others.
You may feel that you don’t have much to offer people, but you do. In fact, there are many ways that you can minister to others with the abilities and resources that God has given to you. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can share your faith with those who have never experienced forgiveness for their sin and don’t know where they will spend eternity. If God has given you talents or provided you with a good income, you can help others with what you’ve been given. 1 Peter 4:10 teaches, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Are you willing to be a good steward of what God has provided? Then look for opportunities to bless others.
What the Bible Says
Read Ephesians 4:1–6. What are the qualities of a life that is worthy of Christ (1–3; also see Col. 3:12–13)?
Why are these qualities important as you follow Jesus (4–6; 5:1–2)?
*** Jesus poured out His life so that others could be saved (see Luke 19:10). If you’re going to represent Him (see 2 Cor. 5:20), shouldn’t you be like Him in character and purpose?
Read Ephesians 4:7–16. What did Christ give believers so that they could bless one another (7–8)?
What is your spiritual gift (11–12; also see Rom. 12:4–8)? Why has that gift been given to you (13–16)?
Read Ephesians 4:17–32. What change is there to be in the way you view yourself and others (21–24; also see Phil 2:1–4)?
What is to be your goal concerning others (28–29)?
Why do negative attitudes or selfish actions towards others grieve the Holy Spirit (30–31; also see Rom. 8:26–29)?
What would bring joy to the Holy Spirit (32)?
What It Means
The Ephesian church was very blessed because Ephesus was a wealthy and influential city in Asia Minor which had extraordinary potential for spreading Christianity. As Paul sat in prison (see Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), he must have thought about the amazing influence for Christ that the Ephesians could have on the world. However, he knew that they first had to learn that their true wealth wasn’t in earthly riches, but in spiritual blessings by which they encouraged others (see Eph. 1).
Paul taught them in Acts 20:35, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” They needed to realize that the reason God had given them such immense blessings was so that they would use them for His glory and for the furtherance of the gospel. The same is true for you. God’s gifts to you were never meant to be hoarded. They were given to be used wisely as you minister to others through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
*** It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32–34)
Life Examples
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–11. What makes you different from other believers (4–6)? How are you to be like other believers?
For whom does the Holy Spirit give you gifts, talents, and blessings (7)?
Why do you think the Holy Spirit wanted you personally to have the gifts that you’ve received (11)?
Are you using your gifts in a way that honors God and blesses others?
Living the Principle
Who are the special people that God used to shape your life? Do you ever consider how much they gave for you and how willingly they shared the gifts that God provided to them? They were faithful to bless you with what God had given them, and you should be, too.
Can you be trusted with the blessings that God has given you? Does your love for God motivate you to minister to others in His name and for His glory? Does your relationship with Him inspire you to give freely so that others can know His salvation, comfort, and joy? Only you can stop God’s goodness from flowing through your life and into the lives of others—and you do it by hoarding His gifts. Therefore, count your blessings and look for opportunities to shine His light and love into other’s lives. Then watch how God works. Soon you’ll see that it truly is much more blessed to give than to receive.
If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Phil. 2:17)
How will you live out Life Principle 25 this week? Discuss ways that you can share your gifts and blessings with others. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- God saved me because He loves me (see Eph. 1:3–6).
- God’s purpose for saving me was to bring Him glory (see Matt. 5:16).
- I am most like Jesus when I serve others (see Matt. 20:27–28).