Blinded By Blessings
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: When Blessings Become Barriers
Devotional: Have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift from God when life is going well? The rich man in Jesus' parable had everything the world could offer - wealth, status, comfort, and security. Yet these very blessings became barriers between him and God. His abundance didn't draw him closer to his Creator; instead, it blinded him to his spiritual poverty and his responsibility toward others. This isn't just an ancient story - it's a mirror for our modern lives. When we're comfortable, we often forget our desperate need for God. When our bank accounts are full, we might neglect our spiritual accounts. When everything is going smoothly, we can lose sight of eternity. The tragedy isn't that the rich man was wealthy, but that his wealth consumed his heart. He had every opportunity to use his blessings to honor God and help others, yet he chose to hoard rather than share. Right outside his gate lay Lazarus, a man in desperate need, but the rich man's comfort had hardened his heart to the suffering around him. God's blessings are meant to flow through us, not stop with us. Every good gift we receive - whether financial, relational, or circumstantial - comes with both privilege and responsibility. The question isn't whether we'll face prosperity or hardship, but how we'll respond when blessings come our way. Will they draw us closer to God and others, or will they become walls that separate us from what truly matters?
Bible Verse: 'There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:' - Luke 16:19
Reflection Question: What blessings in your life might be creating distance between you and God, and how can you ensure they become bridges to serve others instead of barriers to spiritual growth?
Quote: "Don't let the blessings blind you to brokenness."
Prayer: Lord, help me recognize when Your blessings are becoming barriers in my relationship with You. Give me wisdom to use every good gift You've given me to honor You and serve others. Keep my heart soft and my eyes open to the needs around me, even when I'm comfortable. Amen.
Devotional: Have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift from God when life is going well? The rich man in Jesus' parable had everything the world could offer - wealth, status, comfort, and security. Yet these very blessings became barriers between him and God. His abundance didn't draw him closer to his Creator; instead, it blinded him to his spiritual poverty and his responsibility toward others. This isn't just an ancient story - it's a mirror for our modern lives. When we're comfortable, we often forget our desperate need for God. When our bank accounts are full, we might neglect our spiritual accounts. When everything is going smoothly, we can lose sight of eternity. The tragedy isn't that the rich man was wealthy, but that his wealth consumed his heart. He had every opportunity to use his blessings to honor God and help others, yet he chose to hoard rather than share. Right outside his gate lay Lazarus, a man in desperate need, but the rich man's comfort had hardened his heart to the suffering around him. God's blessings are meant to flow through us, not stop with us. Every good gift we receive - whether financial, relational, or circumstantial - comes with both privilege and responsibility. The question isn't whether we'll face prosperity or hardship, but how we'll respond when blessings come our way. Will they draw us closer to God and others, or will they become walls that separate us from what truly matters?
Bible Verse: 'There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:' - Luke 16:19
Reflection Question: What blessings in your life might be creating distance between you and God, and how can you ensure they become bridges to serve others instead of barriers to spiritual growth?
Quote: "Don't let the blessings blind you to brokenness."
Prayer: Lord, help me recognize when Your blessings are becoming barriers in my relationship with You. Give me wisdom to use every good gift You've given me to honor You and serve others. Keep my heart soft and my eyes open to the needs around me, even when I'm comfortable. Amen.
Day 2: The Beggar Who Had Everything
Devotional: Lazarus had nothing the world values, yet he possessed everything that truly matters. His name means 'God is my help,' and despite being covered in sores, rejected by society, and reduced to begging for crumbs, he never lost faith in the One whose help never fails. In a world that measures worth by wealth, status, and success, Lazarus challenges our perspective entirely. He was physically broken, socially invisible, and financially destitute. Dogs licked his wounds while he lay at the rich man's gate, hoping for scraps from a table he'd never be invited to join. Yet in God's economy, Lazarus was incredibly rich. What made the difference? Lazarus understood something the rich man missed: our circumstances don't determine our spiritual condition. Poverty didn't make him bitter toward God; instead, it drove him to depend entirely on divine grace. His suffering became a pathway to deeper faith rather than a reason to abandon it. This truth transforms how we view our own struggles. Whether facing financial hardship, health challenges, relationship difficulties, or social rejection, we can choose Lazarus's response. We can allow our trials to draw us closer to God rather than drive us away. We can find our identity in being children of the King rather than in what we own or achieve. Lazarus reminds us that God sees and remembers those the world overlooks. Your current circumstances - whether abundant or lacking - don't define your eternal worth. What matters is where you place your trust and how you respond to the God who calls Himself your help.
Bible Verse: 'And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,' - Luke 16:20
Reflection Question: How can you maintain faith and hope in God during difficult circumstances, and what would it look like to find your identity in Him rather than in your current situation?
Quote: I'm glad that I'm not eating from the crumbs of this world, but I'm eating from the loaf.
Prayer: Father, like Lazarus, help me trust in You as my help, regardless of my circumstances. When I face difficulties, draw me closer to You rather than allowing me to drift away. Help me find my worth in being Your child, not in what I have or lack. Amen.
Devotional: Lazarus had nothing the world values, yet he possessed everything that truly matters. His name means 'God is my help,' and despite being covered in sores, rejected by society, and reduced to begging for crumbs, he never lost faith in the One whose help never fails. In a world that measures worth by wealth, status, and success, Lazarus challenges our perspective entirely. He was physically broken, socially invisible, and financially destitute. Dogs licked his wounds while he lay at the rich man's gate, hoping for scraps from a table he'd never be invited to join. Yet in God's economy, Lazarus was incredibly rich. What made the difference? Lazarus understood something the rich man missed: our circumstances don't determine our spiritual condition. Poverty didn't make him bitter toward God; instead, it drove him to depend entirely on divine grace. His suffering became a pathway to deeper faith rather than a reason to abandon it. This truth transforms how we view our own struggles. Whether facing financial hardship, health challenges, relationship difficulties, or social rejection, we can choose Lazarus's response. We can allow our trials to draw us closer to God rather than drive us away. We can find our identity in being children of the King rather than in what we own or achieve. Lazarus reminds us that God sees and remembers those the world overlooks. Your current circumstances - whether abundant or lacking - don't define your eternal worth. What matters is where you place your trust and how you respond to the God who calls Himself your help.
Bible Verse: 'And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,' - Luke 16:20
Reflection Question: How can you maintain faith and hope in God during difficult circumstances, and what would it look like to find your identity in Him rather than in your current situation?
Quote: I'm glad that I'm not eating from the crumbs of this world, but I'm eating from the loaf.
Prayer: Father, like Lazarus, help me trust in You as my help, regardless of my circumstances. When I face difficulties, draw me closer to You rather than allowing me to drift away. Help me find my worth in being Your child, not in what I have or lack. Amen.
Day 3: The Great Reversal
Devotional: Death has a way of revealing what truly matters. In an instant, everything changed for both men in Jesus' parable. Lazarus, who had suffered so much on earth, was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom - a place of comfort and honor. The rich man, who had lived in luxury, found himself in torment, able to see the very man he had ignored now experiencing eternal blessing. This great reversal wasn't arbitrary or unfair. It was the natural consequence of choices made during their earthly lives. Lazarus had chosen to trust God despite his circumstances, while the rich man had chosen to trust in his wealth and ignore both God and others. Death simply revealed the eternal reality of those choices. The rich man's ability to see, remember, and feel in hell makes this story even more sobering. He wasn't unconscious or unaware - he was fully conscious of his condition and his missed opportunities. He could see Lazarus in comfort while experiencing his own torment, creating an eternal reminder of what could have been different. This reversal should both warn and encourage us. It warns us that earthly success without spiritual foundation leads to eternal failure. But it encourages us that present suffering, when endured with faith, can lead to eternal joy. The question isn't whether we'll face a reversal after death, but what kind of reversal it will be. Today, while we still have time, we can choose which man's path to follow. We can use our blessings to serve God and others, or we can hoard them for ourselves. We can trust in temporary things or eternal realities. The choice is ours, but the consequences are forever.
Bible Verse: 'And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;' - Luke 16:22
Reflection Question: If your earthly circumstances were reversed in eternity based on your current spiritual choices, what would that reversal look like, and what changes might you need to make today?
Quote: The rich man became the beggar, and the beggar became the rich man.
Prayer: Lord, help me live with eternity in mind. Don't let temporary circumstances blind me to eternal realities. Give me wisdom to make choices today that will result in joy rather than regret in eternity. Help me trust in You rather than in temporary things. Amen.
Devotional: Death has a way of revealing what truly matters. In an instant, everything changed for both men in Jesus' parable. Lazarus, who had suffered so much on earth, was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom - a place of comfort and honor. The rich man, who had lived in luxury, found himself in torment, able to see the very man he had ignored now experiencing eternal blessing. This great reversal wasn't arbitrary or unfair. It was the natural consequence of choices made during their earthly lives. Lazarus had chosen to trust God despite his circumstances, while the rich man had chosen to trust in his wealth and ignore both God and others. Death simply revealed the eternal reality of those choices. The rich man's ability to see, remember, and feel in hell makes this story even more sobering. He wasn't unconscious or unaware - he was fully conscious of his condition and his missed opportunities. He could see Lazarus in comfort while experiencing his own torment, creating an eternal reminder of what could have been different. This reversal should both warn and encourage us. It warns us that earthly success without spiritual foundation leads to eternal failure. But it encourages us that present suffering, when endured with faith, can lead to eternal joy. The question isn't whether we'll face a reversal after death, but what kind of reversal it will be. Today, while we still have time, we can choose which man's path to follow. We can use our blessings to serve God and others, or we can hoard them for ourselves. We can trust in temporary things or eternal realities. The choice is ours, but the consequences are forever.
Bible Verse: 'And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;' - Luke 16:22
Reflection Question: If your earthly circumstances were reversed in eternity based on your current spiritual choices, what would that reversal look like, and what changes might you need to make today?
Quote: The rich man became the beggar, and the beggar became the rich man.
Prayer: Lord, help me live with eternity in mind. Don't let temporary circumstances blind me to eternal realities. Give me wisdom to make choices today that will result in joy rather than regret in eternity. Help me trust in You rather than in temporary things. Amen.
Day 4: Be a Funnel, Not a Barrel
Devotional: God never intended for His blessings to stop with us. When the rich man hoarded his wealth while Lazarus suffered at his gate, he revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of God's purpose for prosperity. God calls us to be funnels, not barrels - channels through which His blessings flow to others, not containers that hoard everything for ourselves. Think about the difference between a funnel and a barrel. A funnel receives at the top and immediately channels everything through to benefit something else. A barrel receives and stores, keeping everything contained within itself. The rich man lived like a barrel, accumulating wealth and comfort while remaining closed to the needs around him. This principle applies to more than just money. God blesses us with time, talents, relationships, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities - all meant to flow through us to bless others. When we hoard these gifts, they become stagnant and ultimately harmful to our spiritual health. When we share them, they multiply and create eternal impact. Lazarus, despite having so little materially, lived like a funnel. His faith, his name that honored God, and his patient endurance became blessings that continue to impact people thousands of years later. He understood that even in poverty, he could be a conduit of God's grace. The beautiful truth is that when we live as funnels, we never run dry. God continues to pour His blessings through us because He knows we'll use them for His purposes. But when we live as barrels, trying to contain and control everything, we actually limit what God can do through us. Today, ask yourself: Am I living as a funnel or a barrel?
Bible Verse: 'And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.' - Luke 16:21
Reflection Question: In what specific ways can you become more of a 'funnel' with the blessings God has given you, allowing them to flow through you to benefit others rather than hoarding them for yourself?
Quote: God didn't call you to be a barrel, but he called you to be a funnel. He didn't call you to get all you can and can all you get and sit on the can.
Prayer: God, transform my heart from a barrel to a funnel. Help me see every blessing You give me as an opportunity to bless others. Show me specific ways I can share what You've given me - my time, resources, talents, and love. Make me a channel of Your grace to those around me. Amen.
Devotional: God never intended for His blessings to stop with us. When the rich man hoarded his wealth while Lazarus suffered at his gate, he revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of God's purpose for prosperity. God calls us to be funnels, not barrels - channels through which His blessings flow to others, not containers that hoard everything for ourselves. Think about the difference between a funnel and a barrel. A funnel receives at the top and immediately channels everything through to benefit something else. A barrel receives and stores, keeping everything contained within itself. The rich man lived like a barrel, accumulating wealth and comfort while remaining closed to the needs around him. This principle applies to more than just money. God blesses us with time, talents, relationships, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities - all meant to flow through us to bless others. When we hoard these gifts, they become stagnant and ultimately harmful to our spiritual health. When we share them, they multiply and create eternal impact. Lazarus, despite having so little materially, lived like a funnel. His faith, his name that honored God, and his patient endurance became blessings that continue to impact people thousands of years later. He understood that even in poverty, he could be a conduit of God's grace. The beautiful truth is that when we live as funnels, we never run dry. God continues to pour His blessings through us because He knows we'll use them for His purposes. But when we live as barrels, trying to contain and control everything, we actually limit what God can do through us. Today, ask yourself: Am I living as a funnel or a barrel?
Bible Verse: 'And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.' - Luke 16:21
Reflection Question: In what specific ways can you become more of a 'funnel' with the blessings God has given you, allowing them to flow through you to benefit others rather than hoarding them for yourself?
Quote: God didn't call you to be a barrel, but he called you to be a funnel. He didn't call you to get all you can and can all you get and sit on the can.
Prayer: God, transform my heart from a barrel to a funnel. Help me see every blessing You give me as an opportunity to bless others. Show me specific ways I can share what You've given me - my time, resources, talents, and love. Make me a channel of Your grace to those around me. Amen.
Day 5: The Urgency of Today
Devotional: The rich man's desperate plea for someone to warn his brothers reveals a haunting truth: hell is full of people who thought they had more time. In his torment, he finally understood the urgency of spiritual matters, but it was too late for him. His only hope was that others might not make the same fatal mistake of delay. Abraham's response is equally sobering: 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' The brothers had access to God's Word, just as the rich man had during his lifetime. If they wouldn't listen to Scripture, they wouldn't be persuaded even by someone rising from the dead. This reveals that the issue isn't lack of evidence or warning - it's the condition of the heart. Today, we have even more than Moses and the prophets. We have the complete Bible, the testimony of Jesus' actual resurrection, and the witness of countless believers throughout history. We have churches, Christian books, online resources, and believers in our lives. The question isn't whether we have enough information, but whether we'll respond to what we already know. The urgency isn't just about avoiding hell - it's about embracing the abundant life God offers now. Every day we delay responding to God's love is another day we miss experiencing His peace, purpose, and joy. Every day we postpone sharing His love with others is another day they remain in spiritual darkness. Don't let comfort, busyness, or the assumption of tomorrow keep you from the spiritual urgency of today. Whether you need to surrender your life to Christ or share His love with someone else, today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow isn't promised, but God's grace is available right now.
Bible Verse: 'Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:' - Luke 16:27
Reflection Question: What spiritual decisions or actions have you been postponing, thinking you have more time, and how can you respond to God's call with urgency today?
Quote: Hell is full of people that thought they had more time.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for treating eternal matters with casual indifference. Create in me a sense of holy urgency about my relationship with You and my responsibility to others. Help me not to assume I have unlimited time, but to respond to Your call today. Give me courage to act on what I know is right. Amen.
Devotional: The rich man's desperate plea for someone to warn his brothers reveals a haunting truth: hell is full of people who thought they had more time. In his torment, he finally understood the urgency of spiritual matters, but it was too late for him. His only hope was that others might not make the same fatal mistake of delay. Abraham's response is equally sobering: 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' The brothers had access to God's Word, just as the rich man had during his lifetime. If they wouldn't listen to Scripture, they wouldn't be persuaded even by someone rising from the dead. This reveals that the issue isn't lack of evidence or warning - it's the condition of the heart. Today, we have even more than Moses and the prophets. We have the complete Bible, the testimony of Jesus' actual resurrection, and the witness of countless believers throughout history. We have churches, Christian books, online resources, and believers in our lives. The question isn't whether we have enough information, but whether we'll respond to what we already know. The urgency isn't just about avoiding hell - it's about embracing the abundant life God offers now. Every day we delay responding to God's love is another day we miss experiencing His peace, purpose, and joy. Every day we postpone sharing His love with others is another day they remain in spiritual darkness. Don't let comfort, busyness, or the assumption of tomorrow keep you from the spiritual urgency of today. Whether you need to surrender your life to Christ or share His love with someone else, today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow isn't promised, but God's grace is available right now.
Bible Verse: 'Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:' - Luke 16:27
Reflection Question: What spiritual decisions or actions have you been postponing, thinking you have more time, and how can you respond to God's call with urgency today?
Quote: Hell is full of people that thought they had more time.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for treating eternal matters with casual indifference. Create in me a sense of holy urgency about my relationship with You and my responsibility to others. Help me not to assume I have unlimited time, but to respond to Your call today. Give me courage to act on what I know is right. Amen.
