MSEP01 – What is the Blessing of Abraham?

The blessing of Abraham is misunderstood by many Christians and church leaders. It is one of the most twisted biblical doctrines. But this article (MSEP01) explains the true meaning of the blessing and how you can freely receive it today.

In this Article:

1. Introduction
2. The Wrong Application
3. The Misconceptions
4. Warnings Against the Love of Money and Material Possessions
5. The True Meaning of the Blessing of Abraham?
6. Do We Receive the Blessing of Abraham?

Introduction

This is the very first Episode of the Misapplied! Series on Grace Tidings. For more details on the series, please see Introducing Misapplied Series.

We are commanded in the Scripture to study to show ourselves approved unto God. That is what the Misapplied Series is all about. If you wrongly interpret a text of Scriptures, you will definitely wrongly apply them. We want to avoid just that.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The blessing of Abraham is one of the most twisted Bible doctrines among many Church leaders and Christians today. There are people who think that Christianity is all about accumulating the things of the world.

To them, you’re not blessed by God if you’re not physically wealthy and healthy. This wrong mentality has made many people stumble. They fall into errors like the twisting of the Bible message regarding the blessing of Abraham.

The purpose of this study is to show you what the Bible teaches about the blessing of Abraham. But before I get to that, I will share with you the popular and wrong interpretation of the concept.

Our text for today is found in Galatians 3:8-14:

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

If you wrongly interpret a text, you will definitely wrongly apply them to your life and the lives of your followers.

The Wrong Application

There are many people around the world today who believe and teach that the blessing of Abraham means material possessions. If you’re from the part of the world where I’m from (West Africa), you will most likely know what I’m talking about.

The popular belief on this is that, since Abraham was physically and materially blessed, and we are Abraham’s children, we are to be blessed too. That means if you’re a Christian, you’re supposed to be healthy and wealthy.

But if the reverse is the case for you, then you got a problem. It is either because you don’t have enough faith, you’re not faithful with your tithes, or you’re living in unconfessed sins.

They Want Your Money

It gets even worse with many of our African Church leaders and a host of Televangelists around the world. According to them, in order for you to get this blessing, you have to sow seeds to the Church, and to the preachers’ lives.

These legalistic preachers say if you don’t give to God, God will not bless you. The more money you give to God, the more blessing you receive in return, they say.

The problem with this teaching is that the blessing of Abraham has nothing to do with money, offerings, seed sowing, or any material possession. Please read on to find out what the Bible says.

The Misconceptions

The Two Kinds of Blessings

Many are confused about the word blessing in the Bible. The Bible speaks of two kinds of blessings: physical and spiritual. Some physical blessings were promised to Israel under the Old Testament but the fulfillment was based upon their obedience to the Mosaic Law.

On the other hand, we are promised a different kind of blessing in the Body of Christ under the New Testament. The blessing is directly tied to Christ, the seed of Abraham. This blessing has been redefined in our days by many prosperity preachers and Church members who crave material possessions and other physical blessings.

Do Not be Deceived

You must be able to tell the difference between the Old and the New Testament. many so-called Pastors don’t. There are promises that do not apply the same way under the two testaments.

God promises to never leave us nor forsake us. And He is able to care of us. But one thing that I haven’t found in the Bible is where the Christians are promised material possessions here and now.

Embrace the Truth

If you hate the truth, you will have abundant lies in this world. Pay attention to he following passages:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The point is simple, if you love the truth, you will recognize it when you find it. But if you have itching ears and love to hear only the things that make you feel good, you will fall into a lot of errors and deceptions.

I’m not disconnected from the reality of this life. I understand that there are some who would have accepted the truth but find themselves in the wrong place where they are being deceived.

But everyone is responsible to study the Bible and know what it says. On the judgment day, you cannot blame false teachers for your problems.

The Nature of Christianity

Many so-called Christians have been made to believe that Christianity is all about getting healthy and wealthy. A lot of people in the world are only looking for ways to accumulate wealth just for the sake of having them.

Since that’s what they are already looking for, they are easily magnetized by the prosperity preachers who are taking advantage of their greed and gullibility. Christianity is not about possessing worldly things. However, it is about giving up our desire for those things to serve Christ.

Warnings Against the Love of Money and Material Possessions

The Bible has a lot to say about money and material possessions. If you pay attention to the teachings of the New Testament, you will find out that nowhere are we [the Body of Christ] promised physical blessings.

Food and Raiment

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus Christ taught His disciples to not worry about their needs:

Matthew 6:27-33  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

In the above passage, Christ focuses His attention on the basic needs of life: what to eat, what to drink, and what to wear or put on. (Please read the earlier verses to get the full context of the passage).

Christ admonishes His disciples to not act like the people of the world who run around chasing these things. He reminded them that their Heavenly Father knows that they need them. So they are not to worry about how they will get them. Rather, they are to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

This message was as good and needed for the Jews of Christ’s time as it is for many Christians today. Just like the Jews of those days, many Christians are quick to judge who is blessed or not blessed based upon material possessions.

We have similar admonition in the Epistles. One example of this is in Paul’s letter to Timothy. In the passage, the Bible says that the believers need to be content with food and raiment (clothing), echoing the same point of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:24-34.

1 Timothy 6:6-12  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

The New Testament is Not Against Physical Blessings

Don’t get me wrong. The Bible does not teach the Christians can’t be rich or physically blessed. But the way to get there is by hardworking and diligence. Not by practicing money-doubling with your offerings and other Christians services.

Ephesians 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

The above are a few of the many New Testament passages that speak on this. As you can see, believers are encouraged to “work with their hands the thing which is good”.

The Bible even says concerning the lazy and busybodies (that is, those who are physically able but are unwilling to work) not to eat if they refuse to work. There are many today who will consider this point hateful and lack of love for the needy.

Hardworking and Diligence

Here is the point, if you are hardworking and diligent with your work and/or business in a godly way, and the Lord helps you to have increase, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being rich that way.

On the other hand, it is absolutely wrong, unbiblical, ungodly, and contrary to the gospel if you think that God will just rain cash or other material blessings on you because you do something in the Church.

Yet, this is the whole point of the popular seed offerings in many Churches today. It is also the reason why many Pastors have redefined the true meaning of the blessing of Abraham.

So, my goals with this lesson is to show you from the Bible (and not from some General Overseers) the true meaning of the blessing of Abraham and how you can receive it today, at no cost to you!

If you are hardworking and diligent with your work and/or business in a godly way, and the Lord helps you to have increase, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being rich that way.

The True Meaning of the Blessing of Abraham

The Twisted Promise

God chose Abraham to be His friend among many others who were alive during his time. When God called Abraham, God made many promises to him.

Among other promises, God promised Abraham a child. But the more attractive one is the one in which God promised that all the families of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham. Take a look at the following references:

Genesis 12:1-3  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 18:18  Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Genesis 22:16-18  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Abraham Was Truly Rich Materially

There is no denying that Abraham was physically and materially blessed by God as we can see in the following passages and many more:

Genesis 13:2  And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 24:35  And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

Isaiah 51:2  Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

The Bible has a lot to say about the riches of Abraham, even in servants. And because many prosperity preachers of our days crave these things, it is not surprising that they missed the point of the blessing of Abraham.

They open the Bible with preconceived notions. They will do all that they can to make the Bible say what they want it to say. Which makes them miss the actual Bible message. This is the only reason why many could take the Abraham’s blessing for material possessions. It is simply ridiculous!

The Blessing of Abraham is Not Material Possessions

But what exactly is Abraham’s blessing? I will let the Bible do the talking. Go with me to the Book of Galatians:

Galatians 3:8-9  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Hmm! Did you get that? Have you started seeing the connection between the gospel and this promised blessing of Abraham?

First of all, verse 8 says God already knew that He would justify the heathen (the Gentiles) through faith. This message was given to Abraham even before the gospel, that the nations will be blessed in him.

Then verse 9 continues to even spell it out that those who are of faith (meaning those who have put their faith in Christ) are blessed with this blessing of Abraham.

Looking at “Blessed” in Context

The word ‘blessed’ in the above passage (verse 9) is the Greek word εὐλογέω (eulogéō pronounced yoo-log-eh’-o). According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary, the word eulogéō means “to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper):—bless, praise.”

I’m going somewhere with this, just be patient with me and read on.

There is a “Seed” Involved

Who or What is this seed? In Genesis 12 and Genesis 18 above, God says that the whole world will be blessed in Abraham. Notice: “in thee”, “in him” in the passages. When we get to Genesis 22:18, God says “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”

Who is the seed of Abraham mentioned here? Is it the Jews or a specific Person?

The Book of Galatians has the answer. Let’s take a look:

Galatians 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Galatians does a good job of pointing our attention to the difference between ‘seeds’ and ‘seed’, one being plural and the other singular. So it is not to the ‘seeds’, the plural form. Meaning not to the Jews in general which are considered the physical seeds of Abraham. But to the ‘seed’, “which is Christ”.

The point that I want to make here is that the blessing promised to all the families of the earth through Abraham is supposed to be accomplished in the seed of Abraham. And that seed is Jesus Christ. So what is this blessing which comes through Christ? Is it money or material possessions? I don’t think so!

Remember this?:

2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

The Blessing of Abraham is…

Let continue with Galatians:

Galatians 3:10-14  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Take a look at verse 13 in the above passage. The Bible says that “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” because He was “made a curse for us”.

There is a curse in verse 10, the cause come upon all men because we were unable to keep all the Laws of God. This is the curse from which Christ redeemed us through His life, sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection.

This redemption by Christ gave us two blessings as pointed out by the two instances of the word “that” in verse 14:

•  The first blessing is “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.” This blessing is the forgiveness of sin and justification that we received when we put our faith in the finished work of Christ. Please refer again to Galatians 3:8-9 referenced above.
• The second blessing is “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”. This is indwelling Holy Spirit resulting from the baptism of the Spirit. Therefore Galatians 3:14 agrees with Ephesians 1:13-14 and many other passages in the New Testament which teach that the believer received the Holy Spirit at the moment of belief.

One More Greek Word Study

Again, for the record, the word translated ‘blessing’ in Galatians 3:14 is the Greek word εὐλογία (eulogía pronounced yoo-log-ee’-ah). This is where we found our English word ‘Eulogy’. This word is similar to the word translated ‘blessed’ (eulogéō) in Galatians 3:9.

According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary, the word eulogía means “fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language; commendation (“eulogy”), i.e. (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecration; by extension, benefit or largess:—blessing (a matter of) bounty (× -tifully), fair speech.”

Putting it all Together

As you can see, the context of these passages and a close look at the words ‘blessed’ and ‘blessing’ in the passages help us to understand what they are saying. This is the part that many prosperity preachers have missed. 

It is obvious that the blessing of Abraham has absolutely nothing to do with material possessions or financial blessings or that you will be physically rich like Abraham.

But it has everything to do with the justification and the gift of the Holy Spirit that we received when we put our faith in Christ. This obviously makes us even more blessed than Abraham himself. 

We are saved, forgiven, justified, got the righteousness of God which is the perfect righteousness. And we got the baptism of the Spirit. All this because of what Christ did for us and nothing that we can accomplish on our own. In order word, the blessing of Abraham is salvation!

The entire New Testament teachings agree that salvation entails the forgiveness of sin (that’s justification), the imputed righteousness, as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit. And eventually a place with God in heaven. This is the blessing of Abraham. God has had this plan of salvation for the whole world before the beginning of time.

When you get a chance, please read the following passages: Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; Psalm 72:17; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 3:8,16,28; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 7:9.

Anyone who is genuinely saved today already possesses the blessing of Abraham. You don’t have to give money, pay tithes, sow seeds, or even do anything to receive this blessing. The Bible says it is

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7.

How Do We Receive the Blessing of Abraham?

The blessing of Abraham is salvation. If you desire the blessing, all it takes is to get saved. You know you’re a sinner, no one in his right mind will deny that truth. You also know that you cannot save yourself. No one in his right mind will deny that as well.

The Bible says no one can give us salvation except Christ.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Christ came into this world, He suffered, bled and died for the sin of the whole world. He fully paid the penalty of your sins. If you believe He died in your place and rose again, your sins will be forgiven. And you will be saved. All it takes is for you to put your trust in the blood that He shed for you.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus Christ was the sinless Savior what gave Himself for the sinful world. What this means to a sinner or an unsaved person is that someone loved you enough 2,000 years to die and pay the penalty of your sins.

Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Accept Christ’s Free Offer of Salvation Today

The offer of salvation by faith alone has been made, and God hasn’t withdrawn it. If you believe that Christ suffered and died in your place, and that He was buried and He rose again, your sins will be forgiven. Christ says you will receive the gift of eternal life immediately.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:36.

That is the blessing of Abraham!

Would You Receive It?

What stopping you from trusting in Christ now? You may not have another chance to make that decision. I encourage your surrender and do it now. Repent from your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And you will be saved.

But if you choose not to believe, or try to postpone it, you have to realize that an unforgiven sinner is an enemy of God. The Bible says that the wrath of God is upon such people.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

If you die in your sins, you will go to hell and spend your eternity in the lake of fire, a very unpleasant place. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can make that decision today, believe and receive that promised blessing of Abraham.

Conclusion

I hope this was a blessing to you. Please feel free to share this article anyway you want.

Misapplied Series Episode 2

The next Episode of Misapplied! will address another crucial issue among many believers. There is a growing belief that God will punish the believers for the sins of their forefathers. I will be checking this claim with the Scripture in Episode 2. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading!