In Christ, through faith, we have all become descendants of Abraham. Therefore, the promise and blessing God gave to Abraham—“I will surely bless you…” (Gen. 22:17)—also belong to us as his spiritual heirs. Abraham’s calling was both “receiving blessings” and “becoming blessings.” That same calling, and those same promises, are ours as well.

As God’s children, we are surely blessed and ought to enjoy His blessings. But we must clearly understand what the “true blessing” is. In Scripture, all blessings from God are in Christ Jesus: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

“Receiving blessings” means that we receive Christ Himself. In every circumstance, we can experience Christ and enjoy Him, because He now dwells in us and has become our life. God has once for all, fully and eternally, given us every blessing in Christ. At the same time, “becoming blessings” means that Christ is expressed and revealed through us and through the church, so that those around us are blessed because of our lives.

Looking back at the process of purchasing this property and the great needs we faced, I believe many brothers and sisters loved God and cared about His work among us. Behind every offering—whether in person or online—was an expression of love and thanksgiving to God. Therefore, when we give to God’s house, to mission, or to those in need, what appears to be money outwardly is in reality something with Christ and Life behind it. As Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Whenever you give others Christ, God will surely give Christ to you in return.

So how can we truly “receive blessings” and “become blessings”? God builds us up so that we may receive blessings—our lives transformed, our relationship with Him renewed—to become more like Jesus. But He also calls us to rise up and participate in the building of His house. That is “becoming blessings.” When we live together according to God’s will and for His testimony, God in heaven is pleased, and people on earth are blessed through us.

“Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.” (Ps. 87:3) There is a city being built by the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, and one day all of us who have been born again will be brought into it. Each single building block of this city is you and me. As the Lord says in the book of Haggai: “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine… The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts.” (Hag. 2:8–9) Throughout the generations, across the universe—even in hidden corners unknown to man—God has always been preparing gold, silver, and the materials for His house. Today, He is likewise searching among us for those willing to be used and built up by Him into gold and silver in His temple.

God has always been building us in Christ, and He longs for us to participate together in that building—not only to receive blessings,but also to become blessings.

(Adapted from the message at SVCA 32nd anniversary)