Can You Stand To Be Blessed?

(Jabez): =Affiction. Sorrow, from an unused root probably meaning to grieve;;

and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow; either with sorrow for her husband, being dead, or by reason of very sharp pains she endured at the birth of him;

he was another Benoni.

Benoni. = Son of my sorrow.

Ge 35:18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that (she called his name Benoni): but his father called him Benjamin.

Benjamin. = The son of the right hand

It doesn’t matter what man has said about you, it doesn’t matter what your environment or your circumstances say about you.

(What has your Father said about you?)

Everything around you may speak of weakness, failure, of insignificance, of sorrow and despair.

(What has your Father said about you?)

Ps 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

Though we may be surrounded by ashes, and brokenness, and confusion and despair, yet are we not what we are surrounded by.

All things are not as they appear, A mischevious child may be a prophet.

A crippled beggar may be royalty in disguise (Mephibosheth).

A carpenter may be a king.

1chro 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:

More deserving of honor, more responsible, more dependable, more committed, more trustworthy, more devoted.

( Not because of things made better or easier for him, but for better use of what was available to him).

True honor is not in what a person has, but in the character of the one who has it.

1chro 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:

(Brethren): brother, brotherly, kindred, like, 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe, (fig.) of resemblance

This means that Jabez excelled above those of his kindred, his tribe, those of resemblance.

This is a characteristic that God would have in all of his children, the desire and ambition, and effort to be the best that they can be,

This desire and ambition and personal effort and application will place you in a more honourable position than many of your tribe, brethren.

1chro 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast,

This does not just mean (give me more) Pour it on me Lord. (Jesus my name is Jimmy and I’ll take all you can gimme).

This speaks of enlargement in your circle of influence, your sphere of ministry = Responsibility.

and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.

Jabez understood that if you do not keep God first in your life even the things that should bless you will become a source of grief.

A Blessing is only a blessing as long as it points you back, and keeps you close to the one who gave it, When blessings are an end in themselves, they cease to be a blessing and ultimately will bring grief into your life.

And God granted him that which he requested.

Increase was not Jabez’ Idea Increase is Gods plan.

It is Gods will that we increase, It is Gods will that we increase in wisdom and knowledge, and that we prosper and multiply.

De 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Ps 115:14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

*Prosperity is not a rebellion against dependence upon God, Prosperity is the rewards of life lived in dependence and recognition of God.

*Prosperity is the will of God.

3Jo 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

2 Chro 20:20 Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

De 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

*It Blesses God When You Prosper*

Ps 35:27 Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.