As believers of Jesus Christ, we become wide open funnels between God and those around us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
It isn’t just comfort God wants us to receive and to give. In Genesis 12:2 God told Abram (later known as Abraham), “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous and you will be a blessing to others.” It is abundantly clear throughout God’s word that whatever God gives us isn’t just for us, but for someone around us as well and it is our duty and privilege to pass it on to them. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven; love as God loves us and provide for others as God has provided for us. Whether it is our time, prayers, provisions or simply the joy that only comes only from Him, we are to share what God has poured into us.
The more God’s love and blessings flow through us, the more He graciously pours into us. The more we give, the more we will receive. Being a funnel focuses our attention on God from whom all blessings flow and on the needs of others instead of focusing on ourselves. If we do become self-centered and feel we deserve God’s blessings for ourselves, we will become a clogged funnel that is no longer useful. We will soon fill up and the flow of blessings from God will cease. Not only will we no longer receive new blessings from God, those we have received will start to evaporate or become stagnant like the manna from heaven that could not be stored or horded.
Does all of this mean we must give up all of our blessings to others? Of course not! It means we are doubly blessed. Blessed when we receive them from God and blessed again as they pass through us to bless others.