Don’t allow greed to rob you of being a pipeline for blessings! Ever thought what you had was awesome and didn’t want to let go? Ever had such a tight grip on something that it would be impossible to let anything else in? What if there was more and what you have is good but what God wants to give you is better? Will you open your hand in order to be a pipeline for blessings from God?
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) – Be a pipeline of blessings by focusing on Treasures in Heaven
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Key Takeaway:
Material possessions on earth are temporary and vulnerable to loss or destruction. Investing in heavenly treasures, such as love, kindness, and generosity, yields eternal rewards.
Application:
Release the tight grip on earthly possessions, focusing on cultivating virtues that endure beyond this life. By generously sharing our blessings, we become channels for heavenly treasures to flow into the lives of others, glorifying God in the process.
Luke 12:15 (NIV) – Be a pipeline of blessings by Guarding Against Greed
"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
Key Takeaway:
Life’s true richness is not measured by the abundance of possessions. Greed distorts priorities and can lead to spiritual emptiness.
Application:
Recognize the deceptive nature of greed and consciously choose to prioritize spiritual values over material accumulation. Open-handed living involves sharing with others, reflecting God’s generosity and building a legacy that transcends material wealth.
2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) – Be a pipeline of blessings that is Enriched in Every Way
"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
Key Takeaway:
God enriches us not for selfish accumulation but to be conduits of generosity, bringing gratitude and glory to Him.
Application:
Embrace the truth that God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Live with open hands, recognizing that as we share what we have received, we become instruments of thanksgiving and praise to God. This mindset fosters a continuous flow of blessings through our lives, impacting those around us positively.
This year I am using the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas and applying it towards being dads. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to get to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this one for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit: DavidJeremiah.org.
Topics: OPEN HANDS
Verse: Acts 20:35 (NIV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Firstly, let’s be the dads who choose to follow the Word of God and work hard to help the weak! Additionally, let’s be the dads who spend time in God’s Word so that we can remember the words of Jesus! Today, let’s be the dads who remember and choose to live our lives up to the calling of Jesus and his words that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Be pipelines of blessings at all times:
Today’s Devotional provides us with two examples of how we can miss out on being a pipeline of blessings by holding on too tightly to things. It provided two object lessons based on being tight fisted and holding onto stuff. One lesson spoke to how it impacts our ability to bless others who are in need. The second lesson spoke to how it prevents us from receiving more blessings. Will you be a clog or will you be a pipeline that is wide open to allow the blessings of God to flow into and through you?
Being Open Handed allows us to be a blessing to others:
Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV) – The Generous Prosper
"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
Explanation:
This proverb contrasts the outcomes of generosity and greed. The person who gives freely, with an open hand, experiences increased abundance. On the other hand, one who withholds, holding tightly to what they have, eventually faces poverty. The key principle is that generosity leads to prosperity, not just in material wealth but also in spiritual and emotional well-being.
Application:
The lesson here is clear – closed-fisted living, driven by greed or a reluctance to share, can lead to a lack of blessings. By embracing open-handed generosity, we align ourselves with God’s design for abundance. Sharing our blessings not only benefits others but also invites a reciprocal flow of blessings into our own lives. This serves as a powerful reminder to break free from the grip of greed and open our hands to be conduits of God’s blessings to those around us.
Being Open Handed allows us to receive God’s blessings into our hands:
Malachi 3:10 (NIV) – Tithing and Offering
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
Explanation:
In this verse, God encourages the people to bring their tithes and offerings, which symbolize their generosity and obedience. The imagery of “throwing open the floodgates of heaven” emphasizes the abundant blessings that God is ready to pour out upon those who live generously.
Application:
This verse teaches us that an open-handed approach to giving, specifically in tithes and offerings, creates a channel for God’s blessings. It’s an invitation to test God’s faithfulness in responding to generosity with an overflow of blessings. When we willingly give, not only are the needs of the community met, but we position ourselves as conduits for God’s abundance, becoming instruments through which His blessings flow to others and back to us.
Luke 6:38 (NIV) – The Principle of Giving
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Explanation:
Jesus emphasizes the reciprocal nature of giving. The imagery of a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over illustrates the abundance that follows a generous lifestyle.
Application:
By giving generously, we not only meet the needs of others but position ourselves to receive abundant blessings. This reciprocal dynamic highlights the principle that the measure with which we give becomes the measure of what we receive. Living with an open hand of generosity aligns with God’s economy of blessing, turning us into conduits for His grace and provision.
Pipeline Lessons from Jesus:
Today’s Devotional closes with the following summary and challenge for us.
- “He gives to us not only to meet our needs but also to teach us to give as Christ gave — fully, generously, and unconditionally.”
- “Prayerfully hold out both open hands in front of you and present them to the Lord for His pleasure – to give or receive.”
GEORGE MULLER
