Increase is the call of man. In all things – increase. It is also true with the Father. Both man and God share, for man reflects his creator. But the heart of man is deceitful, and his selfish nature pulls more that he himself would be full, that great abundance would fill the chasm of of his desire. The world and the prince of this world, give promise of joy with the filling, and men follow as the relentless thirst drives. Not so with He who has no void, for the increase desired of the Father is not of vacuum, but of thundering outflow, giving forth as the breaking of a great dam, flooding all with deep and complete blessing. The giving heart is the reflection of the true God. The fruit of the good man is replete with the blessing to all that surround him. As a spring bursts forth for the dry earth, so the man of God bursts forth blessing to those who are his. I have given you much, that those also I have given you would be given much. Abundance that brings joy is not one of a mere child’s desires for food, toy and the power to have and control, all of which perish with the day. The abundance of eternity desires to make glad the heart of others, to give and give more. Freely life and breath flow from he who has truly the Spirit, for he is counseled in the love for others, and the old man and manner are vanquished in the loving. Abundance I desire for you. Do not hoard the abundance, for in a flash it shall be memory, and within that flash no meaning. Give to reflect the Father, and His abundant, everlasting joy shall be your own.
Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV) – One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Leviticus 25:35-37 (ESV) – “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) – The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Bottom Line: The world is full of shiny objects. In our culture of ‘earthly’ abundance, we sleep in a warm bed every night, set the temperature to the degree, and can fill our refrigerator, routinely, far before it is completely empty. Some of us have the latest clothes, gadgets, cars and homes that meet far more than our basic necessities, and any additional want might be met with a credit card and another quick order from Amazon. We choose careers and work hard for every increase, just to have this ability. Even still, we never seem to have all that we need to fulfill us. Even the best paying jobs can’t do that. The Bible says the only real way to satisfaction is His way. The authentic ‘abundance’ is not found in receiving, but in giving. We may be blessed, but He blesses us not primarily for us, but that we would in turn bless others. That is the multiplication and abundance that brings glory to the Father, and the only thing that truly fills the heart of His children (by His design). As Christmas approaches, let’s not look at it as a season for giving, but the beginning of a new year-long lifestyle of cheerful generosity, that will fill us and others, for the rest of our lives.
