You Were Born for Significance预览

Job Knew

Job was an extremely blessed man, and everyone in his day knew it. Even God bragged on him, calling him a “blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8). He was blessed with status, wealth, family, and favor.

His children were raised in the blessing of the Lord. While we don’t know of their spirituality, we do know they were raised in a godly environment, tasting of God’s goodness through their dad’s heart for God. But Job knew the effect of blessing on the soul of a person, so he took deliberate steps to keep them covered and protected.

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. —Job 1:4–5

I find this to be amazing. There is no record of sin or misbehavior. But Job in his wisdom knew the potential effect of a blessed life if the heart is not kept in check through thankfulness and humility. So he offered sacrifices on their behalf, which amounts to intercessory-type prayer in our day. He did this just in case something might have entered their hearts while they were feasting. He was concerned about what they might have thought in moments of abundance.

In keeping with this same theme, Proverbs 30:8–9 admonishes: “Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’” I want to draw your attention to the phrase I put in italics. The ultimate book on wisdom recognizes the ability of some to have abundance and then lose their touch with the Lord. It’s not automatic, thankfully.

God is a perfect Father who looks for the chances to pour blessings into the lives of His children. But He is also a Father who loves us and doesn’t want to increase our blessing beyond what we have the heart and maturity to carry well. What does it look like when God’s favor is carried well? He is glorified, we are strengthened, and the people around us benefit. Once again, it is the disciplined heart with humility and thankfulness that enables us to survive and thrive with the high cost of blessing.

I want to draw your attention, again, to what the apostle Paul meant when he said that he had learned how to abound and how to be in need. He then gave the secret, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV). We instinctively know we need strength when we’re experiencing pain and lack. But Paul also knew he needed the same measure of strength when he was in abundance. Such humility and dependency are key for living in blessing without ruining its purpose. His favor is always to endear us to Him as the source, as well as giving us the honor of representing Him in whatever area the favor functions.