“The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it” (Ecc. 5:11)

Increase doesn’t just happen. We can make it happen as we stand on the never changing principles of God’s word. Like Isaac Newton’s law of motion stated: “Every object will continue in a state of rest or uniform motion unless an external force is applied.” This implies that things might remain the same unless we decide to make a positive change through God’s word.

With God’s word at our disposal, we can bring about the process of increase in our lives. We must be intentional about doing this in accordance with His word. Our lives will always depend on His word for growth and increase. No wonder Jesus said, “… Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks” (Matt. 4:4).

Now, let’s look at the following secret code that will guarantee a life of continued access to Godly increase (or blessings) as promised in God’s word.

#1. God’s Secret Code to Increase: Purpose
“He gave five bags of silverto one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip” (Matt. 25:15).

Beloved, God will never make provision available unless there is a purpose in place. Where purpose is unclear, expectation of increase might steadily lead to frustration. It is true to say that provision always follows vision.  

In the event of increase without purpose, waste becomes a recurring occurrence, and our God does not waste resources. He is not careless with prioritising purpose in the distribution of His resources to mankind.

In the account of Jesus’ parable of the talents, as revealed in the above biblical account, the master gave to his servants according to their different abilities – in other words, according to their purpose. Also, there is no record of ill feelings amongst the servants.

Each of the servants except one put their talents to work while expecting an increase. The servants that worked purposefully were rewarded with double, as well as receiving commendation from their master. However, the one who refused to work with the intention of building up his resources ended up with a rebuke. What he had was taken from him and given to the man who had already multiplied his talents.

In another Bible account, Mark recorded: “To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living” (15:11-13).

This young man was lacking in purpose but went on to demand from his father his own inheritance. He got what he wanted from his father but couldn’t handle the anticipated increase.

There is a proverb in Yoruba (Western Nigeria) that says: the first set of wealth a young man receives in his life might be carelessly spent on bean cake or worthless things. This implies wasteful spending – as was the case with this young man. He spent all his wealth on riotous living.

So, if I may ask, what’s your vision or purpose in this life? Would you handle wealth differently than this young man, as revealed in the Scripture? Would you use more wisdom in the handling of increase when it’s eventually released to you by God?

Now, let’s consider this matter.  Haven’t we all disappointed God in the past? And we still ask and plead for Him to trust us again with a fresh increase. Yes, of course He will, being the merciful God that He is. He will definitely respond positively to our request; hence, the need to learn from the so-called Prodigal son.  My advice, therefore, through this little write-up is that we should identify our God-given purpose and channel all our resources to fulfil it.

Hopefully, we shall continue this series in our next publication when we shall look at other secret codes for increase.

I hope this message has been a blessing to you. Please, kindly share with your contacts as we strive together to bring God’s will to our generation.
 
Peace! Shalom, shalom!
Pastor Sam Elijah