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God Expects Increase

By Ben Komanapalli, Jr.

Published: July 20, 2011

In Matthew 25:14-30 we see Jesus teaching the parable of the talents. You might already know this parable, but before you read this article I encourage you to first read the parable again.

According to the parable, every one of us has been entrusted with talents and responsibilities. As leaders most of us know that success is not a destination and we also know that it is not measured by what we possess. But we often live lives that are focused on a particular destination and we worry over what we don’t have. We compare ourselves to others and the talents given to them. Success comes from knowing that we are pursuing the plan that God has for our lives and that we are moving in the right direction.

Depending on our calling, God entrusts us with divine abilities. We are responsible for what we do with them and will be judged individually for what we do with them. When we let this really sink into our hearts, we see how foolish it is to compare ourselves to other leaders and what they are doing. The only reason to look at someone else should be for motivation, encouragement and to pull ourselves up. It is not to complain and pull others down or make excuses about why they are able to accomplish something while we still can’t do what we are supposed to do!

So the question that every leader needs to ask is, “Do I see growth?” Is there growth in what He has called you to do and accomplish? Are you moving in the right direction to accomplish His plan for your life?

In the parable we see that the owner appreciated the worker who showed growth. The talents given to us were not given just for us, but they were given to make an impact and change lives for the glory of God. We are leaders who are accountable. There has never been and never will be a leader who is ultimately not accountable. We will be held responsible. I think Pastor Andy Stanley said it best when he said, “Leadership is a stewardship. It is temporary and you are accountable.”

The talents given to us are not our choice, but what we do with them is our choice. Talents were given for growth and increase. We often think that a faithful person is someone who is loyal but according to the Word of God, being faithful means being productive. You cannot be productive without being loyal to someone or something. The worker who did not show any growth in the parable was called unfaithful by the owner. The owner viewed lack of growth as being unfaithful! When we are faithful, we will be successful. Success happens as a result of us being faithful. The owner in the parable did not micromanage. He expected the workers to be self motivated.

It is the same for us. God is not going to interfere with every small decision that we make, but He still expects us to get the job done. He is more than willing to help us in getting the job done! God expects to see growth and increase in what He has given to us. He has already given us the ability to increase and multiply.

If you are reading this, know that you have a job to do and you have been given the ability to get it done. So be faithful with what has been given to you and increase. Don’t compare yourself with what someone else is doing. As you faithfully lead with what has been entrusted to you, God will increase you more and more for His glory!

© Ben Komanapalli, Jr.. All rights reserved.

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