God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
The very first blessing given from God was the ability to multiply and to govern the earth. This was a gift from God to his creation. It is accurate to understand blessings from God as the physical things that often come to mind, but this is not the only category of blessings God gives.
In Ephesians, Paul describes the spiritual blessings he received from God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14)
This is only one example of the spiritual blessings God provides.
As we look to Scripture for an understanding of true blessing, it’s important to talk about the theme of blessings and curses in the Old Testament. Under the old covenant, God would extend blessings for the obedience of his people and curses for their disobedience.
Today, Christians do not operate under the old covenant. We are under the New Covenant that was ushered in with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The operating system of blessings and curses is no longer the appropriate way to understand our relationship with God. His blessings are freely given to his people, regardless of their obedience, because of the obedience of Jesus that is attributed to us.
Blessings to God
The idea of us blessing God may seem suspicious and uncomfortable. We don’t often think of having the ability to bless God. He is the Creator and we are the created. He is the Savior and we are the saved. How could we possibly bless God? Yet there are many examples in Scripture that describe people blessing God. This language is primarily found in the Psalms.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits… (Psalm 103:1-2)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ… (Ephesians 1:3)
It is not that we are a blessing to God, but that we ought to praise him for the blessings he provides to us. This is just an expression of thankfulness and praise from humanity to God. Humanity is not able to help, strengthen, or make God better. When the biblical writers use the phrase “Bless the Lord” or “Blessed be God” they are expressing gratitude, worship, and honor.
