Growth & Increase

"And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4: 8)

To "grow" is also to "increase" and "yield fruit," or to "prosper" and "flourish." To grow is to be productive, or useful, or of value, or a real asset. It is to be "good" and "profitable" versus being "good for nothing," as salt that has lost its "saltiness."

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." (I Corinthians 3: 6, 7)

Lord God is the only one who causes things to grow, increase, prosper and to be productive of good. Only God can "germinate" seed, be it natural or spiritual "seed." Only he can "enliven" what is dead and make it to live, increase, and grow.

The word of God is spiritual "seed." Seed must be "planted" and "watered," and God does this through those who broadcast or disperse abroad the seed of truth. He sends "sowers" of the word, men and women who tell others of the word of God, and of the gospel of Christ.

But, all seed does not "germinate" or live and grow. Some seeds corrupt and do not produce life or fruit, does not grow and increase. Who or what makes the ultimate difference? Is it not the exercise of God's power to germinate the spiritual seed of the saving truth of Christ? (See also I Cor. 4: 7)

"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness" (II Corinthians 9: 10).

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men" (I Thessalonians 3: 12).

God is everywhere represented as the "Giver" of all the growth and increase of the saints. Does this mean that the saint is not himself "responsible" to grow and increase? No, it simply puts the "chief" responsibility upon the Lord himself. We plant, we sow, we cultivate, water, and weed out the tares, but unless God bless the work, it will not live, grow, nor increase.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1 NIV)

In other words, unless the Lord give the increase, unless he blesses the efforts at planting and sowing, and unless he empower and germinate, it will all be in vain, that is, there will not be any life, growth, or increase.

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning" (Proverbs 1: 5).

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 9: 9)

"A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength." (Proverbs 24: 5)

"For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased." (Proverbs 9: 11)

These are precious promises and glorious revelations. Who does not agree that it is vital to growth to increase in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? Who does not recognize that it is necessary for survival? This is true whether it be worldy knowlege, or scientific knowledge of the physical laws of nature, or whether it be spiritual knowledge of God and his providence and doings. Both are vitally important, but the saving knowledge of Christ, and of God's plan in Christ and for the world, is vastly superior, determining who will be saved and who will be lost.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4: 6 KJV)

To "increase" in learning and in education of the truth also brings increases in other areas, such as increase of days in one's life, and in "power."

"...he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow." (Ecclesiastes 1: 18)

Yes, this is also, for the present time, also an effect of increased learning. One also increases in his empathy for others, in his grief for the sufferings of others, and in his ability to see evils in the world that others do not see.

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17: 5).

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." (Isaiah 40: 29)

Oh how the Christian daily needs increase in power and faith! Oh how he needs "fresh supplies" of the grace and might of the Lord Jesus to sustain him and make him to grow and prosper and bear fruit! Oh how he needs the Lord to bless his labors, to "give increase" to all that he does!

"The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD" (Isaiah 29: 19).

Yes, it is precious when the Lord "gives increase" and causes things to grow and prosper! To grow and increase in peace, joy, and happiness! To increase in our ability to daily be free of worry, stress, and useless anxiety!

"...we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more" (I Thessalonians 4: 10).

Yes, and this is what prayer should include! Petitions to the divine "Increaser" to increase our joy, faith, love, hope, peace and heart of faithfulness and obedience!

"For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD." (Hosea 4: 10)

"Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy" (Isaiah 9: 3).

Here were some who did not "increase" in joy, power, or quality of life. These rather "decreased" in those precious things. Why? Because they refused to look to the Lord alone to give them increase! They neglected God, and did not own his care and providence, and continued in their sins against him.

Friend, if you would increase in joy and in true peace, then you must seek it from God alone and through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Will you do so today?