And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV
Instilled in everyone is a call and mandate to become a blessing to others. Jesus commands us to love other people. That may sound like a lot to carry, but Jesus also promises that He will give us both the ability and the resources to be a blessing to others. In obeying God's command to love others, we need to abide in God's grace, not in our own works and abilities.
We live in an age that is heavily centered on consumerism. Much of what people cry out for pertains to individual needs. Even churches today are flocked by a congregation that has a 'bless me' mentality. We want the pastor to serve us, the ushers to give us our favourite seats, the worship leader to sing our favourite song. It's heavily about the needs of the individual and not much the opportunity to bless others.
God calls believers not to be in a position to be ministered, but in a position to minister. While we are to be served by our leaders, God calls us to pass the blessing and serve others—serve our family, our neighbourhood, the poor and underprivileged and anyone who is within our scope of influence.
But let's not make the mistake of thinking that we can be generous to others by our own strength. Being a blessing comes only because of the grace of God. To work harder and be a bigger influence and bigger blessing, we need more of God's grace, not more self-effort. If we were to be generous, helpful and loving by our own effort, it would only be a matter of time until we started running out of steam.
To fulfil God's purpose of having greater influence and greater reach by blessing others, we need more of His grace through Jesus Christ. We rely on the times we spend with Jesus during our devotionals, look to Him for security and satisfaction and always put Him first in all we do. When we seek God's kingdom—His Lordship and empowering presence—He adds all things upon us.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV). We were redeemed in Christ Jesus and connected to Him, always overflowing in our blessings from Him so we can be generous at all times, willingly extending grace to others.
