Contributor: Tobi Morakinyo

INTRODUCTION
In recent weeks, we've been studying Divine Righteousness, starting with how it's connected to God's faithfulness and how important our motives are to Him. We've also looked at the consequences of our motives in relation to His righteousness. Today, we'll go further by exploring how God's righteous nature ensures that blessings are reserved for the righteous, specifically, through the hard work of unbelievers. We will also study how believers can position themselves to receive these special blessings.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BLESSINGS FROM GOD.
It remains hard to figure out where material blessings come from just by using human wisdom. We need the spirit of discernment to tell whether certain ‘blessings’ are from God or from the Devil. The truth is, Satan can give "blessings" too, but they are just traps to lead people to their own destruction. It's important to know what God’s blessings both material and spiritual (Ephesians 1:3-6) look like, so we don’t fall for the Devil’s tricks.

As believers, we shouldn’t be influenced by the so-called blessings of the wicked. “Don’t follow after the wicked ones or be jealous of their wealth. Don’t think for a moment they’re better off than you. They and their short-lived success will soon shrivel up and quickly fade away like grass clippings in the hot sun. Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land, feasting on his faithfulness” Psalm 37:1-3 (TPT). Below are some characteristic difference between a Blessing from God and “blessing” from Satan:

The Source and Nature of Blessings: God’s blessings come from His holy, righteous, and loving nature. According to James 1:17, every good and perfect gift comes from God, who is pure and just. God’s blessing maketh rich without any added sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). On the other hand, Satan’s "blessings" are deceptive and harmful because they come from his nature as the father of lies (John 8:44). While they might look appealing at first, they are ultimately destructive, as Satan often pretends to be an angel of light to deceive people (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Accompanying Emotions and Impact: God's blessings bring peace, joy, and contentment (Philippians 4:7, Romans 15:13) and are often tied to our obedience and faith (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). They also promote love, unity, and justice (Genesis 12:2-3). In contrast, Satan's "blessings" bring anxiety, fear, and regret (Proverbs 14:12, James 1:15) and often require compromise or sin (Matthew 4:8-10). These false blessings lead to selfishness, division, and harm (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Purpose and Final Outcome: God's blessings, whether material or spiritual, are meant to bring us closer to Him and help fulfill His divine purposes in our lives, leading to spiritual growth and ultimately eternal life. In contrast, Satan's "blessings" are designed to pull us away from God and lead us into sin and destruction. While they may provide temporary satisfaction, they ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness, ruin (John 10:10), and separation from God.

BLESSED THROUGH UNBELIEVER’S WORKS
As a good and loving Father, God has various ways of blessing His children. He blesses the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 28:11), provides for our needs (Philippians 4:19), grants peace and wisdom (Philippians 4:7, James 1:5), offers protection and healing (Psalm 121:7, Psalm 103:3), multiplies our resources (Luke 6:38), and grants favor (Psalm 5:12). He also gives spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4) and rebukes the devourer on our behalf (Malachi 3:11). One often overlooked way God blesses us is by using the work of unbelievers to benefit the righteous. In His sovereignty, God can use all things, including the actions of those who don't follow Him, to bless His people and fulfill His purposes. Lets examine some biblical references to establish this:

Genesis 47:1-12: Pharaoh, an unbelieving ruler, gave Joseph’s family the best land in Egypt, demonstrating how God used the resources of an unbeliever to bless His people.

Proverbs 13:22: "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." — This proverb reveals the principle that the wealth and resources of sinners (unbelievers) can be transferred to benefit the righteous.

Exodus 12:35-36: God instructed the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing, which they received abundantly, as a form of restitution for their years of slavery. "And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."

2 Chronicles 20:25: After God granted Jehoshaphat and his army victory over three nations, they spent three days collecting the wealth and resources left behind by their defeated enemies. "And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much."

John 4:38: Jesus explained that His disciples would reap what they had not labored for, benefiting from the work done by others. "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors."

Isaiah 61:6: Isaiah prophesies that the nations (Gentiles) will serve Israel, bringing their wealth and resources to God's people. "But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves."

Isaiah 45:3: God promises to give hidden treasures and riches stored in secret places to His chosen ones, showing that God can bring wealth and resources from unexpected sources, including those controlled by unbelievers, to bless the righteous. "And I will give thee the
treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."

Proverbs 10:3: The righteous will not suffer hunger, even if it means God providing through the works and resources of unbelievers. "The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked."

Isaiah 49:23: Isaiah foretells a time when kings and queens will serve God's people, bringing their resources and influence to benefit the righteous. "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."

Psalm 2:8: God promises to use the resources and works of the nations (including unbelievers) to bless and expand His kingdom. "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."

POSITIONED TO ACQUIRE THE WEALTH OF THE UNGODLY?
To be positioned to acquire the wealth of the ungodly, carnal approaches like jealousy and covetousness are not the way. This kind of blessing is entirely at God's discretion and not based on our efforts alone. However, through the Bible, we can identify characteristics that positions us to receive these divine transfers and apply them to our own lives:

• Seek God’s Kingdom First: Prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness above all else, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33). It will also include a commit to a relationship with God that includes a focus on advancing His kingdom

• Ask and Pray for Wealth Transfer: Pray specifically for God's provision and the transfer of wealth as part of His divine plan. (Psalm 2:8)

• Live Righteously and Obey God’s Commandments: Position yourself for God’s blessings by living a life of righteousness and obedience to His commands. (Isaiah 1:19; Exodus 12:35-36; Proverbs 11:3)

• Cultivate Wisdom and Discernment: Develop wisdom and discernment to make godly decisions and recognize divine opportunities. (1 Chronicles 12:32)

• Be Faithful in Service and Tithing: Show faithfulness in your service to God and in your giving, including tithing. (Malachi 3:8; Genesis 41:39-41)

• Walk in Righteousness: Align your life with God’s standards, as righteousness positions you for prosperity. (Psalm 1:1-3)

• Engage in Spiritual Warfare: Be prepared to fight spiritual battles to claim what God has promised, standing firm against opposition. (Ephesians 6:12)
 

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, God's blessings, both material and spiritual, are given with purpose to draw us closer to Him. Unlike Satan's deceptive "blessings," God's blessings bring true richness without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). Understanding these differences helps us align with God's will. God still transfers wealth, and believers can position themselves for these blessings by living righteously, cultivating wisdom, being faithful stewards, seeking God's kingdom first, practicing generosity, standing in faith, engaging in spiritual warfare, being diligent, and maintaining integrity.