While reading through the story of Joseph for a Bible study, I noticed something new. Pharaoh appointed Joseph to build up Egypt’s storehouse of grain during the years of plenty for a specific purpose: to feed the citizens and foreigners during the years of famine. It made me wonder what I’m doing in my years of plenty, with all the blessings God has so graciously given me.
It’s a simple concept with the potential for universal application—store up and send out. The Abrahamic covenant reveals that God planned to bless Abraham so He would be a blessing to the world (Genesis 12:3). Every blessing we receive from the Lord is not meant to be preserved solely for ourselves. The biblical mandate has always been to store up treasures in heaven that cannot be destroyed.
I remember a time when God provided us with a bigger car and gave us opportunities to ferry friends from our locality to the other side of town for church. It wasn’t much from our end, but God led us to use His blessing to bless others.
I have to admit that sometimes, I act as if God’s provision is just for me. I rigidly guard my limited time and energy for just the things that are important to me. It seems such a hassle to heed the Lord’s nudging and step out of my comfort zone. I get so bogged down with my own needs and those of my immediate family that I’m blind to what lies beyond.
Yet, God did not create us to be mere storehouses but channels of His goodness to the world around us. When we zoom out from our little contained lives and see the big picture, we perceive the world through God’s eyes.
In the culture of consumption we live in, we can be producers of what people actually need and live as beacons of hope, encouragement, and love. The world is looking for genuine connections beyond a screen. It’s perfectly okay to be encouraged by the content we consume online, but nothing beats connecting with someone in real life.
When we started this year with yet another health crisis in the family, I was humbled by the number of people who reached out and helped. Prayers, coffee, supplements, and practical advice—it was the body of Christ that provided it all.
I was going through my own spiritual famine at that time, but the Lord graciously sent His provision through His people to feed my soul and keep us afloat. I treasure their help in my heart, knowing that God will eventually lead me to do the same.
I’ve had insanely difficult seasons in the past where I could barely keep up with the needs of my own family. But God gave me the grace to carry on and get to the other side. Those seasons brought out lessons and testimonies that even now encourage others when I share them.
The introvert in me is always quick to shy away from real-life interactions, but I’m learning that it is in a community that we get to be the body of Christ.
Be the hands that provide tangible help.
Be the feet that walk the extra mile.
Be the heart that prays for the hurting.
Be the mouth that encourages the dismayed.
Be the ear that listens to a soul in distress.
Be the shoulder for a weary head to rest.
Be the eyes that see the pain.
Be the fingers that reach out.
Be the mind that guides with truth.
Be the person who offers hope.
My prayer is that God will open our eyes to see opportunities where we can bless others with the blessings we ourselves have received. Care to join me on this journey of intentional big-picture living?
Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash
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