Spiritual Law of Increase
(Reading time: 3 minutes) The Law of Increase, also called the Law of Harvest or Law of Use, emphasizes using resources to increase their amount or value.
The Parable of the Talents describes a man who gave each of his three servants an amount of money, each according to his ability, before he left on a trip (Matt. 25:15). When he returned, he had the servants give an account of what they had done with the money.
The first two servants in the parable put their money to work and doubled it, which pleased their master. But the third one was afraid and hid the money so he wouldn’t make his master angry by losing it. However, his master was angry because he didn’t even deposit the money in a bank to earn interest. The master considered him wicked and lazy for doing nothing at all and gave his money to the servant with the greatest return.
Two points to consider: (1) A little increase is better than none! (2) Those who are faithful may receive even more than they produced on their own.
The Parable of the Sower offers a slightly different perspective on the same points. Jesus makes two important statements in his explanation of that parable. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart…. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matt. 13:19, 23, NIV).
A key word in these statements is “understand.” In English, this word mainly refers to comprehending, perceiving or grasping intellectually. However, the word in the Greek text describes a process of bringing things together in mind to gain understanding or insight. In the Parable of the Sower, the person who doesn’t process the message ultimately loses the message’s benefit. The successful person is the one who compares or combines what he heard with what he already knows to be true, which multiplies the benefit he receives. This is the Law of Increase.
It’s important for us to realize anytime God gives us something — an ability, resource, insight, revelation and such — he holds us accountable for what we do with it. If we don’t use those resources effectively, we can lose them. “Use it or lose it.” If, instead, we apply what we have and use it effectively, we can increase it and God often blesses our efforts by multiplying our results.
Some people want immediate success regardless of how little effort they apply. Get-rich-quick schemes and gambling entice people who want all the benefits without the effort. Yet even the secular world tells us success comes from applying ourselves steadily and consistently over time.
The Law of Increase may be one of the more important spiritual laws and it’s relevant to every aspect of our lives. As we use our abilities and resources effectively, especially putting them to work serving others, we can expect them to increase. In part, because consistent use produces increase, just as using a muscle makes it stronger. Also, as we prove ourselves faithful using what we have to serve others, God can entrust us with more.