How should believers respond to God's blessings as seen in 2 Chronicles 20:25? Setting the Scene “Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them an abundance of goods, clothing, and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.” (2 Chronicles 20:25) God had just delivered Judah from a vast alliance of enemies without Judah lifting a sword. His people now stood amid heaps of unexpected treasure—an unmistakable sign of divine favor. Key Observations from 2 Chronicles 20:25 • The blessing was tangible and abundant—“more than they could carry away.” • It required effort to gather—three full days of collecting. • The people did not squander or ignore the blessing; they recognized its source and acted accordingly. Principles for Responding to God’s Blessings 1. Acknowledge the Giver • Every good gift “is from above” (James 1:17). • Before enjoying the blessing, turn hearts and lips to praise: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). 2. Receive with Humility, Not Entitlement • Jehoshaphat’s army had not earned the spoils; victory was purely God’s doing (2 Chronicles 20:15). • Humility safeguards against pride: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). 3. Steward the Blessing Diligently • Gathering for three days shows intentional stewardship, not laziness. • Believers today manage time, resources, and opportunities so none of God’s provision is wasted (Ephesians 5:15-16). 4. Share the Overflow • God’s abundance often surpasses personal need, positioning us to bless others (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). • The plunder likely strengthened the whole nation, not just the soldiers. 5. Memorialize God’s Faithfulness • After collecting the plunder, Judah assembled in the Valley of Beracah to bless the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:26). • Recording testimonies, celebrating milestones, and recounting stories keep gratitude alive for future generations (Psalm 78:4). 6. Keep Worship Central • The procession back to Jerusalem was filled with harps, lyres, and trumpets directed to the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:28). • Worship guards the heart from idolizing the blessing itself (Colossians 3:17). Putting It Into Practice • Verbally thank God as soon as a blessing arrives. • Identify practical steps to steward what He provides—budgeting, scheduling, or planning. • Look proactively for people or ministries the surplus can help. • Record each answered prayer or provision to revisit during dry seasons. • Integrate worship—singing, Scripture reading, testimony sharing—into daily routines. Supporting Scripture • Deuteronomy 8:10-18 — Remember the LORD when you eat and are full. • Proverbs 3:9-10 — Honor the LORD with your wealth; barns will overflow. • Luke 17:11-19 — Only one of ten healed lepers returned to give thanks. • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — Set hope on God, be rich in good works, ready to share. Receiving God’s blessings calls for grateful acknowledgment, humble stewardship, generous sharing, intentional remembrance, and ongoing worship—just as Judah modeled in the aftermath of God’s stunning deliverance. |
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