Not only are we to ask God to bless others, but we are to be glad to do so. Will He automatically bless someone just because we asked Him? No. In Mt 10:12-13 we are told that our request for God to bless the individuals of a home with peace will be granted only if the individuals are welcoming to the gospel messengers (REB). The recipients must also be worthy (Norlie), trustworthy (Lamsa), and deserving (Williams). Our blessing of peace will rest upon the home if they are worthy. Otherwise, the blessing will return to the one who spoke it (TCNT cf. Phillips).
For what blessings do we ask the Lord to bless others? Obviously, everything included in the shalom of Mt 10:12-13 – such as success, peace, well-being, and health (CJB, glossary note on shalom). Yet, ultimately, we want others to be blessed by knowing the Lord and by doing His will. This often involves cross-bearing (Lk 9:23), suffering (Phil 1:29), and difficulties (Weymouth note on Mt 5:3-11). We don’t ask that God bless others with such things as suffering but, in asking that His will be done in their life, this will necessarily be included some of the time.
Failure to gladly bless others can prevent us from being blessed the way the Lord had wanted to bless us (Ps 109:17, LXX). Conversely, blessing is found in every instance of obedience (Jas 1:25, Weymouth). We may be blessed even in hardship – and this is far better than merely being happy because our circumstances are temporarily pleasant (Mt 5:3-11, Weymouth note). To become more like Christ is to be blessed because such character development meets with God’s approval and lasts forever.
We are commanded to call down blessings on our enemies (Rom 12:14, REB). How much more should we frequently be asking God to bless His family and all who are good to us?
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.