Be a Blessing

Genesis 12:1–9 & Matthew 9:9–13

“I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)

Jesus saw a man called Matthew…and he said to him, “Follow me.”…And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus (Matt. 9:9-10)

Have you experienced the joy of being a blessing to others in different ways, either by gifts or by influence? It is indeed a great joy to bless others out of the abundance that God has given us. Our texts today demonstrate the blessings of being a blessing to others.  

Genesis 12 and Matthew 9 are separated by centuries, cultures, and covenants, yet they share a striking theme of being called to be a blessing! Occasionally, God intervenes in a person’s life and says, “It’s time to move.” This isn’t always a physical relocation; sometimes it involves a change in attitude, priorities, or obedience. God doesn’t bless us to make us comfortable—He blesses us to make us useful. The calls of Abraham and Matthew illustrate that every blessing carries a purpose: to become a blessing to others.

Genesis 12 begins with one of the most disruptive, life-changing calls in Scripture. God speaks to Abram: “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Abram is settled and established; he’s not searching for adventure. But God is. With that call comes a promise—not just to bless Abram, but to make Abram a blessing. This is the core message of the passage: Blessing is never meant to stop with us. It is meant to flow through us. God’s call is never just about the person God calls; it’s about the people God wants to reach through that person.

In Matthew 9, Jesus similarly calls Matthew with the simple invitation, “Follow me.” Both Matthew, a despised tax collector, and Abram, who is 75 years old, receive calls that disrupt their lives and lead them to one purpose: to be a blessing. While they may not seem like “blessing material” at first, God often sees what others overlook and empowers those who are typically dismissed.

Abram hears the command: “Go, and I will bless you.” Matthew receives the invitation: “Follow me.” Both of these calls require them to leave something behind: 

- Abram leaves his homeland, his security, and his identity. 

- Matthew leaves his booth, his source of income, and his reputation. 

Blessing begins with leaving behind comfort, sin, self-reliance, and the old narrative so that God can create a new one. God's call is not determined by where you have been; it is about what God can accomplish through you.

Blessing flows through obedience. In Genesis 12:4, we read, “So Abram went.” Similarly, Matthew 9:9 states, “And Matthew got up and followed him.” Both men acted without debate, delay, or excuses. They obeyed even though they didn’t know their destination, the timeline, or the cost involved. Faith is not about knowing where you're going; it's about knowing who you're following. The obedience of Abram and Matthew serves as a channel through which God’s blessings flow.

Obedience is the bridge between promise and fulfillment. Many of us desire blessings but hesitate to embrace obedience. We want God to act while we remain still; we seek His open doors while staying in our comfort zones. However, blessings come after obedience. Breakthroughs follow surrender, and fruitfulness is a result of faithfulness.

For example, Abram’s obedience leads him to a land he has never seen, and Matthew’s obedience takes him to a life he had never imagined. Notice what happens next in Matthew’s story: Jesus ends up at his house, surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. Matthew's obedience immediately becomes a blessing to others. He opens his home and his table, creating an opportunity for others to encounter Jesus. Obedience blesses more people than we realize.

Blessed people become a blessing to others. God tells Abram: “I will bless you… and you will be a blessing… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Similarly, Jesus tells the Pharisees: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” This means that true blessing is not about status; it’s about service. It’s not about privilege; it’s about purpose. It’s not about being set apart from others; it’s about being sent to others. Abram becomes a blessing to nations, and Matthew becomes a blessing to sinners. Both serve as channels of God’s mercy.

The central focus of blessed individuals is recognizing that God is the source of their blessings, so they can share them with others. Wherever Abram goes, he builds an altar to commemorate the moment, remember the Source, and worship. Why does he do this? Because he understands that the blessing didn’t arise from his own brilliance—it comes from God’s grace. If God has blessed you, build an altar: Let your life say, “God did this.”

Altars represent:

• Worship — acknowledging God as the source

• Gratitude — remembering God’s goodness

• Witness — marking God’s faithfulness for others to see

Blessed people build altars instead of bragging, honor rather than hoarding, and give glory instead of taking credit. Like Matthew, your life can also be a testimony.

Notice the order: Go → I will bless you → You will be a blessing. God’s blessings are never meant to stop with us. If God gives you peace, it’s so you can bring peace. If God gives you hope, it’s so you can share hope. If God gives you resources, it’s so you can be generous. If blessed with influence, uplift others. Your obedience today could bless those you may never meet, and your kindness might heal someone's heart.

You are blessed—not to shine, rise, or succeed alone, but to be a blessing to others. Today, ask God: Who can I bless? Where can I bless? Because someone is waiting on the blessing God has placed in you. Think about how you are blessed in many ways to be a blessing!