We are all blessed to be a blessing 🙌
Recently, I came across a social media reel about the late Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis. Although the video disappeared before I could save it, the story it told stayed with me.
Here’s the twist – that reel was completely incorrect and I’m glad I couldn’t find it. According to the reel, Chadwick learned that he was being paid significantly more than Viola for one of the films they were asked to work on. It wasn’t Viola – it was Sienna Miller.
So a big life lesson learnt, folks, don’t believe every single thing you see, watch or read on social media, make sure to fact-check it.
Anyway, the story goes that Miller wanted to be compensated more than what she was being offered. Rather than accept the disparity or walk away, late Chadwick chose a different path. He reportedly donated some of his earnings from the 21 Brigdes movie so that Miller would receive the compensation she deserved.
The point is, whether we earn millions of dollars or live on far more modest means, generosity is never measured by the size of our bank accounts. It is measured by the condition of our hearts.
Who we are is not defined by our job titles, our possessions, or our status. Our true character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are under pressure and faced with the decision to choose between right vs wrong, good vs bad and so on.
Here’s a quote by the late Chadwick on purpose that deeply resonates with me:
…Purpose is not related to career. It’s related to what God put inside you that you’re supposed to give to the world.
~ Chadwick Boseman ~
What a powerful truth.
No matter how big or how little we have, we are blessed to be a blessing. What God has placed within us was never meant to be hoarded. It is meant to be shared. And that – my friends – is where true generosity begins.
Bible reading 📖
Deuteronomy 15:4-6 NIV
[4] However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, [5] if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. [6] For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.
Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV
[11] There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Reflections 🙌
Reflecting on Deuteronomy 15, I am struck by the tension in these verses:
“There need be no poor people among you” (v.4)
and,
“There will always be poor people in the land” (v.11).
At first glance, these verses or words appear contradictory. But who am I to question God’s mind or his purposes in this words. Because if you think about them together, rather than analyse each word separately – these two verses reveal both God’s perfect design and the painful reality of a world fractured by sin.
From the beginning, poverty was never part of God’s intention. When God created heaven and earth, He made a world of beauty and abundance and entrusted humanity to look after His creation under His perfect & loving rules, decrees and commands. There was no lack, no injustice, and no need.
But sin changed everything.
Disobedience gave rise to greed, selfishness, oppression, and brokenness. And still does today. Poverty remains one of the many visible reminders that creation is no longer as God intended.
Yet God does not respond to this reality with indifference. Instead, He calls His people – at that time, to this day and into the future – to reflect His heart.
* Do not be tight-fisted, but openhanded.
* Do not harden your heart, but soften it.
* Give generously, not reluctantly or begrudgingly.
The existence of poverty is not a reason to withdraw; it is a call to compassion.
Deuteronomy 15 also contains powerful promises:
“You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
“You will rule over many nations, but none will rule over you.”
These words point to the freedom, dignity, and abundance that flow from trusting and obeying God. When His people walk in His ways, they are positioned to be a blessing to others rather than living in bondage to lack.
God’s desire is not simply to bless His people, but to bless others through them.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
Until the day Christ returns to restore all things and poverty is no more, may we live with softened hearts and open hands—holding lightly God’s daily provision and giving generously to others, just as He continues to pour out His grace and generosity upon us.
Prayer 🙏
Gracious and generous Father,
Thank You for the countless blessings You pour into our lives each day. You provide for us abundantly and entrust us with the freedom to choose how we use all that You have given us.
We are deeply grateful for Your faithful provision, yet we confess that there are times when we forget that everything we have comes from Your hand. Too often, our hearts become hardened and our hands remain closed.
Forgive us, Lord.
By Your Holy Spirit, soften our hearts and open our hands. Teach us to hold lightly the blessings You have entrusted to us and to give generously of our resources, our gifts, and even our time. Help us to reflect Your grace and generosity in all that we do.
Thank You for all that You have given us and for all that You will continue to provide.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
[19] As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
To God be the glory always 🙏❤️
Idau Hahine 