Dear reader,
welcome to the series six of our ongoing studies on biblical principles of sowing and reaping. Here, we will learn about the God of increase. As we give, we need to trust God as the only one that can ensure the multiplicity of our harvests. Paul, admonishing the Corinthian Christians reminded them that while he may plant and Apollo water, only God can give the increase (1st Corinthians 3 verse 6). We need to trust God for bountiful harvests, even as we sow our seeds. Let us enumerate some reasons why we must trust God for increase.

We need God to prevent the enemy from hindering our blessings. Have you ever considered why some people work so hard but never reap commensurate rewards? Jabez was not satisfied with his condition. He knew he needed help from the God of increase. He called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that thou would bless me indeed and enlarge my coast" (1st Chronicle 4 verse 10).

• We need God to prevent the enemy from delaying our blessings. Daniel did everything he was supposed to do but the enemy still came to delay the answer to his prayers. After seeking God’s face for three weeks, an angel appeared to him saying “Fear not Daniel, for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, your words were heard and I have come for your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me, for twenty one days." (Daniel 10 verse 12). If Satan could hinder Daniel’s prayer so much so that he had to pray consistently for twenty one days before it could be released, then he can attempt to hinder any Christian.
• We need God to prevent the enemy from polluting our blessings. Only God can prevent the enemy from sowing weeds within our harvest. While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat (Matthew 13 verse 25). Do you observe that some people are very rich but are never happy? Only the blessings of God can make rich without adding sorrows (Proverbs 10 verse 22).
• We need God’s leading to channel our blessings in the right direction. Ruth was a Moabitess woman who married a Jew. Her husband died and she followed her mother inlaw Naomi back to Bethlehem. By virtue of her confession in chapter 1 verse 16, we know she loves the God of Israel. When Ruth came to her mother inlaw she said, "Where you go I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God." Poor and without hope, Ruth decided to take to gleaning on people’s farm. She said to Naomi, "Let me now go to the field and gather the grains left behind by the reapers, after him in whose sight I shall find grace." (Ruth 2 verse 2). Ruth found herself on the farm of Boaz, a rich man. "Then said Boaz to Ruth, don’t go to glean in another field, but stay here by my maidens." Not only did she enjoy from Boaz’s harvest, but she became a part of his family and a member of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we therefore sow our seeds, let us see the God of increase as the one to order an increase in the fruits of our labor and to enable us receive it. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path." If we trust in him, he will increase us, direct us to blessings and prevent the devil from hindering it. Watch out for series seven. Till then, remain holy.