God's ability to bless us is unlimited. Our ability to receive those blessings is often the limiting factor. Elisha instructed three kings to dig ditches and a widow to pour oil into as many vessels as she could find. These small acts of obedience didn't create the blessings, but they created room to receive them.
Small Things and Great
Naaman wanted to be healed but envisioned it as a dramatic event. His servants had to help him humble himself and take the simple steps Elisha prescribed. Alma explained that God works through small means. He can make great things happen when we do very small things in obedience to Him.
Obedience > Sacrifice
Saul justified his disobedience to God's instructions by claiming that he and his people intended to make a special offering to Him. The prophet Samuel responded that "to obey is better than sacrifice." Ordinances are intended as a facilitator, not as a substitute, for personal growth and sanctification.
Him Shall Ye Hear in All Things
Moses prophesied that God would send a Prophet whom the people should hear. Nephi quoted this passage, identifying the Prophet as Jesus, and adding that we should hear Him "in all things whatsoever he shall say." We are accountable for how we respond to His commandments.
Predicated
Joseph Smith taught that blessings are predicated on laws. However, it's important to remember three related principles: (1) We exercise agency within the context of the gifts we have already received from God. (2) We don't earn blessings; we qualify for them. (3) God provides promised blessings in His time and in His way.
Being More Careful
Lyman Sherman wanted to understand his duty better. The Lord's response was for him to "be more careful" in fulfilling the things he had already promised to do. None of us is perfect, but we can choose to be more careful and thoughtful as we participate in the activities of discipleship.
“There Will I Meet Thee … There Will I Bless Thee”
God instructed Jared and his family where they should travel. He promised to meet them and to bless them at the places He was leading them. He doesn't always meet our needs by coming to us. Sometimes He leads us to a place where our needs can be met.
Fulfill vs. Destroy
Jesus didn't come to destroy the law; He came to fulfill it. He said that the law, His covenants, and all prophecies will be completely fulfilled. As His disciples, we need to emulate that conscientiousness as we strive to fulfill His law with His help.
The Straitness of the Path
One reason Jesus was baptized, according to Nephi, was to show us "the straitness of the path." We strive for precision as we administer gospel ordinances partly as a symbol of our desire to align ourselves precisely with God's law.
Earning vs. Qualifying
God has promised us blessings which we can't earn, and He teaches us what actions we need to take in order to receive those blessings. Those actions qualify us to receive blessings which are only available through the merits and grace of Jesus Christ.