“The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!” (Ecc. 5:11).

This Part III edition looks at other secret codes to experiencing God’s increase as provided in the Scriptures.

#2. God’s Secret Code to Increase: Giving
“Give freely and become wealthier; be stingy and lose everything” (Prov. 11:24).Whether you understand this or not, increase is always attached to our ability to give, and our continuing to give, out of our abundance to others. This allows God, the giver of all good things, to trust you with more.  From the Scripture mentioned above, poverty is the result of withholding at all times.
 
Beloved, do you want to enjoy God’s increase? Then practice this secret of sharing. Let others enjoy what you have. Don’t hold so tightly to your personal wealth that it prevents you and your family from helping strangers or those around you who are poor. Start with what you have and stop saying you don’t have enough to go around.
 
Remember the parable of the talents, the man who complained, his one talent was taken away from him and given to the man with ten talents.
 
Many years ago, as a young believer, I attended a revival meeting held in my local church. 

The guest preacher, while ministering to the congregation, was moved by the Holy Spirit to where I was sitting. He placed his hands on my shoulder and began to prophecy:

“Thus says the Lord, today have I made a covenant with you in the area of provisions. But whatever you receive must be given back to me in the form of tithes, offering and other benevolence to my people in need. Your faithfulness will determine the flow of my provision towards you. So, when this meeting is over stay behind and ask me for a sign to this effect.”

Oh yes! I didn’t waste time in asking God for a sign. God was indeed faithful. About two days later, and on two separate occasions, two members of the church (who weren’t among my acquaintances) approached me and blessed me with some money. It was a great surprise, because I had no formal contact or acquaintance with these two brethren, and I hadn’t even asked them for money. I quickly understood the words of the prophecy and gave glory to God!
 
I blessed God for this act and went on to pay my tithes, and I gave to friends in need as instructed. I can proudly say that God has been faithful to His words to this day. I might not be super rich, but God has not failed to make provision available whenever I have been in need. Hallelujah!
 
A Word of Caution
Stop looking at people responsible for their poverty. Stop seeing yourself as more intelligent than the less privileged of your society. It is by grace, not of works lest anyone should boast. Stop being judgmental! Just do as commanded; give and it and shall be given back to you.
 
Do something to make a difference in the lives of people whom God brings into your life.
Who knows, if for this reason the God of heaven has blessed and satisfied you with the increase of the land?

Peace: shalom, shalom!
Pastor Sam Elijah