God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.- Genesis 1:28
Being fruitful always means increasing in some way. For some, that means increasing in number. For example, someone who is fruitful with money may increase the wealth they already have through wise choices like investments, savings, and spending it to help others. For churches, multiplying means different things as well. Some churches focus solely on increasing their attendance to the point where they can multiply the amount of services they offer or amount of ministries to their people. For others, they focus on the growth that takes place inside. Are they people who exhibit righteous living such as more fruits of the spirit as explained in Galatians 5? Leaders may define growth as how many ministries are running in the church. But God defines growth this way: If you are bearing fruit in some way, God will multiply your efforts. Think for a moment about the ways in which you spend your time. Do you spend the majority of your time in selfish pursuits, or in ways that give life to others? Adam and Eve had a specific role: to tend to the garden in such a way it would produce growth. But they had to water, weed and turn the soil in a way where growth could happen. They didn’t stand around watching it grow; they worked to make sure that happened. Where are you in your growth? Do you stand idly by while Satan places weeds in your garden or do you fill your mind and hart with tings that will help you be fruitful? Has God been multiplying your efforts as a result?
1 Comment
Tammy
10/14/2016 02:04:50 am
I enjoy reading and studying God's Word but I often have a hard time seeing the growth, the way it is helping others. I think it could be for many reasons. The biggest is I think I am looking for the wrong growth. The seed I think is planted is not what sprouts so I don't recognize it as the fruit that it truly is. I haven't personally prayed with many people so am I affecting anyone in a way that someone is going to go to heaven? Am I using the gifts God has given me correctly? But then I get a message from someone to pray for them because they are going through a hard time. I need to continue what I know brings me closer to God and He will show me where those seeds are growing in His time. Must admit that is hard for me sometimes.
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