IncreaseSample

The God of Increase

Increase in the Kingdom of God is less about accumulation and more about release! It’s the generous who experience the God-kind of increase and the hoarder who loses. I was living abroad as an exchange student in a foreign land and knew very few believers. The Americans I knew were interested in drinking all week. As a follower of Jesus, this had no allure for me, so I would go out alone. It was then that a wonderful believer, Cicci, befriended me. She invited me to tea and sought me out after church for coffee and conversation. Through her, I made wonderful friends and met new people. When holidays came, she invited me to her parents’ home and made me feel like family. She taught me local traditions and fed me well! It was in this season that Proverbs 11:25 jumped off the page at me:

Proverbs 11:25

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

That was Cicci! She had been so generous with her life, her time, her friends, and her family that I knew God would refresh her! He would take care of her because she had taken care of me, and He did in so many ways! He even used me! It was about six months later when I was back overseas, but not as a university student with financial aid, but as a private person with no finances! I had gotten on a plane in faith that God had called me. I had a one-way ticket and $300 in my pocket. I had no idea how I would live for over 10 months on $300. After a few days, the Holy Spirit told me to give the money to Cicci. All of it! Cicci needed exactly that amount to connect her internet. Having internet doesn’t seem like a major need, but it was not about the need; it was about obedience and walking in Kingdom principles. Proverbs 11:24 is about Kingdom increase:

Proverbs 11:24

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

In obedience to God, who declares giving is getting, reaping comes through sowing, and above all, we can trust Him with our finances. I gave her the $300, all of it. It would be the last American dollar I would see for the next year! And guess what? It was a year of increase! God poured out blessings and provision! Rent, food, tuition, clothing, coffee dates and meals out, travel, flights, hotels, tourism… all covered over the next year. Here’s what I’ve seen and lived: the God of Heaven is interested in the lives of ordinary people. He provides every need and opens the windows of Heaven when we truly trust him with our finances! He is the God of increase!

Reflections & Application:

1. When have you experienced the generosity of others? Reflect on how it made you feel.

2. When have you been truly generous with your life? Is this something you might work on?

3. How would you describe your financial habits on the generous-to-stingy spectrum?

4. Do you truly trust God with your increase, or are you hoarding to protect yourself and family?

5. Meditate on these two verses, Proverbs 11:24-25, and ask the Holy Spirit what He would have you to do!