In the Bible, a synonym for blessed is happy. [What is a synonym?] To be blessed mainly means to be happy, praised, benefited, prosperous, or wished-well.

How many of you would agree that it is far better to be blessed than to be cursed? __

Transition

This evening I am going to show you from the book of Proverbs 12 Ways to Gain Blessing. I encourage you to take notes.

By finding wisdom

(Proverbs 3:13) Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

  1. In this verse, “happy” is the same as blessed.
  2. Remember, wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices. Making choices based on our opinions or feelings is a foolish thing to do.
  3. If you find or get wisdom, God says that you will be happy or blessed. Where can we find wisdom? We find it in the Bible. As you study the Bible, you will gain God’s wisdom.

By hearing and obeying wisdom

(Proverbs 8:32) Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. (Compare Pr 8:34)

  1. This verse is wisdom is talking. When something that is not alive acts like a person, we call this personification.
  2. Here wisdom is saying hearken (hear and obey) what I say and keep (guard, give heed to, observe) my ways.
  3. God’s wisdom will not lead you wrong. If you will follow God’s wisdom, you will be blessed and happy.

By being just

(Proverbs 10:6) Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. (Compare Pr 33:3, 10:7)

  1. A just person is one who does right. It is a person who follows what God said in the Bible. He obeys the laws of the land. The just child is one who obeys his parents.
  2. It is not enough to KNOW what is right. We must DO what is right, then we will be blessed by God and others.

By not being greedy

(Proverbs 11:26) He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

  1. This verse describes a person who has extra grain but he refuses to sell it until the price to goes up. On the other hand, those who sell to the needy people are blessed.
  2. We have an audio story about a little girl who was greedy and selfish. No one liked her because she always wanted to be first, and to have the best and the biggest.
  3. When we are greedy and selfish, we turn people away from us. God and people bless those who are generous and unselfish.

By having mercy on the poor

(Proverbs 14:21) He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

  1. God says that we will be happy or blessed if we have mercy or show favour to those who are poor or afflicted.
  2. In other words we must be generous to those who do not have as much as we do. We must be kind to those who are disabled.
  3. The golden rule will help us here. Do unto others as you want them to do unto you. Then you will be blessed!

By trusting in the LORD

(Proverbs 16:20) He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

  1. It is easy to trust the Lord when we have no need, but when we are in need, trusting God tests our faith.
  2. God tells us to cast our burdens on Him (Psa 55:22, 1Pe 5:7). He tells us to pray instead of worry (Php 4:6-7). He tells us to trust Him with all our hearts (Pr 3:5-6).
  3. Trusting God is believing that He is STRONG ENOUGH to carry our burden, and then giving it to Him to carry. When we do, God will bless us.

By having a bountiful eye

(Proverbs 22:9) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

  1. This word translated bountiful means good or something that functions properly.
  2. Here is a person who is able to see the needs of others. His eye is not just focused on himself. When he sees a need, he does what he can to meet the need.
  3. In your life, the needy person may be your parent, your spouse, your child, your neighbour, or a fellow-Christian. If you train your eye to see needs of others and then meet the need, you will be blessed by God and others.

By rebuking the wicked

(Proverbs 24:24-25) He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

  1. If an unjust judge says that the wicked are right, people will curse him. But if he will rebuke or convict the wicked, he will be blessed.
  2. In our daily lives, this applies to being fair. We must not overlook our own faults and then condemn the faults of others. If you are a parent, you need to discipline fairly and consistently. As children, you must treat your friends fairly. If you rebuke wickedness, God will bless you.

By fearing to offend God

(Proverbs 28:14) Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

  1. When the word “fear” is used in this context, it speaks of fearing to offend God. It is being extra careful to live in a God-pleasing way so that God will not in any way be offended.
  2. On my childhood farm, we always had an electric fence to keep the cows in the field. Some cows would do their best to reach under the fence for grass without getting stung by the electric fence. They did not fear the fence like they should.
  3. The devil wants us to walk as close to sin as possible, to look as much like the world as possible, to reach as far under the fence as we possibly can without getting stung. On the other hand, God says you will be happy and blessed if you always fear to offend Him.

By keeping the law

(Proverbs 29:18) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

  1. The word “vision” speaks of direction from God. Those with no direction from God perish (go the wrong way).
  2. When you keep the law by obeying the Bible, God will bless you.

By being faithful

(Proverbs 28:20) A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

  1. The word “faithful” means firm or steady. In this verse it describes the opposite of rushing to get rich.
  2. The devil wants us to think that riches bring happiness. He is a liar. Riches usually bring heartache. People get into huge debts in order to have the riches of this life. Debts enslave. Debts cause stress. Debts cause marital conflicts.
  3. A person who is contented with simple things and whose focus is on being a faithful solid Christian, that person will enjoy God’s blessings.

By living virtuously

(Proverbs 31:28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

  1. A virtuous woman is one who is strong in godly character.
  2. Children know when their mother is virtuous and they will bless her for that.
  3. Husbands know when their wife is virtuous and they will praise her.
  4. Whether you are male or female, if you live virtuously, others will know it and will bless you for it.

Conclusion

Do you want to gain blessing? I hope you do! Every Christian ought to desire God’s blessing and the blessing of others. We have examined 12 Ways to Gain Blessing from the book of Proverbs.

If you will follow these 12 ways to gain blessing, your life will be much happier and much more pleasing to God.

Song: More Like the Master – 325
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12 Ways to Gain Blessing
28 February 2016 PM – Pro10:22 – Fortifying the Family – Scott Childs